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DESI Spectroscopy of HETDEX Emission-line Candidates. I. Line Discrimination Validation

The Hobby–Eberly Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) is an untargeted spectroscopic galaxy survey that uses Lyα-emitting galaxies (LAEs) as tracers of 1.9 < z < 3.5 large-scale structure. Most detections consist of a single emission line, whose identity is inferred via a Bayesian analysis of ancillary data. To determine the accuracy of these line identifications, HETDEX detections were observed with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). In two DESI pointings, high-confidence spectroscopic redshifts are obtained for 1157 sources, including 982 LAEs. The DESI spectra are used to evaluate the accuracy of the HETDEX object classifications and tune the methodology to achieve the HETDEX science requirement of ≲2% contamination of the LAE sample by low-redshift emission-line galaxies, while still assigning 96% of the true Lyα emission sample with the correct spectroscopic redshift. We compare emission-line measurements between the two experiments assuming a simple Gaussian line fitting model. Fitted values for the central wavelength of the emission line, the measured line flux, and line widths are consistent between the surveys within uncertainties. Derived spectroscopic redshifts, from the two classification pipelines, when both agree as an LAE classification, are consistent to within $\langle$Δz/(1 + z)$\rangle$ = 6.9 × 10 −5 with an rms scatter of 3.3 × 10 −4 . Data are available at https://data.desi.lbl.gov/desi/public/dr1/vac/dr1/hetdex.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS

How fast do quasar emission lines vary? First results from a program to monitor the Balmer lines of the Palomar-Green Quasars

We have monitored spectrophotometrically a subsample (28) of the Palomar-Green Bright Quasar Sample for 2 years in order to test for correlations between continuum and emission-line variations and to determine the timescales relevant to mapping the broad-line regions of high-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Half of the quasars showed optical continuum variations with amplitudes in the range 20-75%. The rise and fall time for the continuum variations is typically 0.5-2 years. In most of the objects with continuum variations, we detect correlated variations in the broad H-alpha and H-beta emission lines. The amplitude of the line variations is usually 2-4 times smaller than the optical continuum fluctuations. We present light curves and analyze spectra for six of the variable quasars with 1000-10,000 A luminosity in the range 0.3-4 x 10(exp 45) ergs/s. In four of these objects the lines respond to the continuum variations with a lag that is smaller than or comparable to our typical sampling interval (a few months). Although continued monitoring is required to confirm these results and increase their accuracy, the present evidence indicates that quasars with the above luminosities have broad-line regions smaller than about 1 1t-yr. Two of the quasars monitored show no detectable line variations despite relatively large-amplitude continuum changes. This could be a stronger manifestation of the low-amplitude line-response phenomenon we observe in the other quasars.

Maoz, Dan

Demonstrating the limitations of line ratio temperature diagnostic using Fe X and Fe XIV spectral line intensity observations

The electron temperature in the inner corona can be derived from spectral line intensity measurements by comparing the ratio of the measured intensities of two spectral lines to the ratio calculated from theoretical models. In a homogeneous plasma the line ratio technique can be used for any two lines if the ratio of the intensities is independent of the density. The corona, however, is far from homogeneous. Even large coronal holes present at the solar poles at solar minimum can be partly or completely obscured by emission from hotter and denser surrounding regions. In this paper we investigate the effect of these surrounding regions on coronal hole temperatures. using daily intensity measurements at 1.15 Rs of the Fe XIV 5303 A and Fe X 6374 A spectral lines carried out at the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak. We show that the temperatures derived using the line ratio technique for these two spectral lines can vary by more than 0.8 x 10(exp 6) K due to the contribution from surrounding regions. This example demonstrates the inadequacy of spectral lines with widely separate peak temperatures for temperature diagnostic.

Brickhouse, Nancy

Theoretical Study of CH3Cl-N2 Line Shapes in the ν1 Band. Line Mixing Effects in QR Doublets and QQk Sub-Branches

Line coupling and line mixing effects of CH3Cl lines in the ν1 band perturbed by N2 have been investigated. We have taken into account the non-diagonality of the exp(−S2) operator within specified line spaces as well as the k-degeneracy of the transitions (due to the double degeneracy of the j,k levels with k ≠ 0). These transitions should be considered as doublets coupled by the line mixing process. A new problem appears in the calculation when the atom-atom potential model is introduced. In order to overcome this difficulty, a pragmatic approach is proposed. Comparisons of theoretically calculated matrix elements of W with measurements of QR(j,k) doublets as well as some QQk sub-branches, which are strongly affected by line mixing, have been made. The results show that the formalism improved in this way leads to rather accurate predictions.

Methyl chloride

Utilizing Experimental-based Line Positions for Semi-empirical IR Line Lists

Molecular IR line lists computed from semi-empirically refined ab initio potential energy surface and high quality ab initio dipole moment surface may have line position accuracy typically within 0.01 - 0.05 cm−1. For high resolution spectroscopy databases, it is necessary to integrate the computed theoretical IR intensities with the line positions accurately determined from experiments and (or) reliably derived from Effective Hamiltonian models. However, it is not a trivial task, and the choices in reality are heavily contingent upon the coverage, consistency, and accuracy of the data available for a specific molecule or isotopologue. We will present several approaches applied to recent Ames IR line lists of CO 2 1, N 2 O 2 , and OCS to demonstrate how challenging such integration may become, and what we have learned From these projects. Discussions will focus on the relation between each different scenario and the corresponding choice or solution, including their advantages and limits, how the semi-empirical IR line lists can help, and what else may be needed for future improvements. We will emphasize that the “Theory+Experiment” synergy may still play significant role in the determination of the best line positions.

Effective Hamiltonian models

Line variability and the broad emission line region of quasi-stellar objects. II - Changes in Balmer decrements

Evidence is presented for significant variations of broad emission lines in five QSOs supporting an earlier report by Zheng et al. (1987). The Balmer decrements before and after variations are compared in an effort to extract information on the broad-line regions. The broad hydrogen lines are found to vary in step with the underlying continuum, indicating that the continuum is the probable energy source for emission lines. The ratios of H-beta/H-alpha for both the varying and steady parts of the the broad lines are about 0.2, suggesting that the regions in which these line fluxes originate are exposed to similar ionizing flux and are therefore at about the same distance to the central source. The average ratio of H-gamma/H-beta is 0.8 for the variable components, considerably higher than that of the constant components. Thus, the region producing the varying line fluxes may have higher density and lower optical depth.

Zheng, Wei

Reconnection of vorticity lines and magnetic lines

Magnetic field and fluid vorticity share many features. First, as divergence-free vector fields they are conveniently visualized in terms of their field lines, curves that are everywhere tangent to the field. The lines indicate direction and their density indicates field strength. The question arises of the extent to which the evolution of the fields can be treated in terms of the evolution of their field lines. Newcomb (1958) derived the general conditions on the evolution of vector fields that permit the identification of field lines from one instant to the next. The equations of evolution of the vorticity field and the magnetic field fall within Newcomb's analysis. The dynamics of the flows differ between these two systems, so that geometrically similar phenomena happen in different ways in the two systems. In this paper the geometrical similarities are emphasized. Reconnection will be defined here as evolution in which it is not possible to preserve the global identification of some field lines. There is a close relation between reconnection and the topology of the vector field lines. Nontrivial topology occurs where the field has null points or there are field lines that are closed loops.

Greene, John M.

Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei. 5: Variability of the ultraviolet continuum and emission lines of NGC 3783

We report on the results of intensive ultraviolet spectral monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3783. The nucleus of NGC 3783 was observed with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite on a regular basis for a total of 7 months, once every 4 days for the first 172 days and once every other day for the final 50 days. Significant variability was observed in both continuum and emission-line fluxes. The light curves for the continuum fluxes exhibited two well-defined local minima or 'dips,' the first lasting is less than or approximately 20 days and the second is less than or approximately 4 days, with additional episodes of relatively rapid flickering of approximately the same amplitude. As in the case of NGC 5548 (the only other Seyfert galaxy that has been the subject of such an intensive, sustained monitoring effort), the largest continuum variations were seen at the shortest wavelengths, so that the continuum became 'harder' when brighter. The variations in the continuum occurred simultaneously at all wavelengths (delta(t) is less than 2 days). Generally, the amplitude of variability of the emission lines was lower than (or comparable to) that of the continuum. Apart from Mg II (which varied little) and N V (which is relatively weak and badly blended with Ly(alpha), the light curves of the emission lines are very similar to the continuum light curves, in each case with a small systematic delay or 'lag.' As for NGC 5548, the highest ionization lines seem to respond with shorter lags than the lower ionization lines. The lags found for NGC 3783 are considerably shorter than those obtained for NGC 5548, with values of (formally) approximately 0 days for He II + O III), and approximately 4 days for Ly(alpha) and C IV. The data further suggest lags of approximately 4 days for Si IV + O IV) and 8-30 days for Si III + C III). Mg II lagged the 1460 A continuum by approximately 9 days, although this result depends on the method of measuring the line flux and may in fact be due to variability of the underlying Fe II lines. Correlation analysis further shows that the power density spectrum contains substantial unresolved power over timescales of is less than or approximately 2 days, and that the character of the continuum variability may change with time.

Reichert, G. A.

Integration of On-Line and Off-Line Diagnostic Algorithms for Aircraft Engine Health Management

This paper investigates the integration of on-line and off-line diagnostic algorithms for aircraft gas turbine engines. The on-line diagnostic algorithm is designed for in-flight fault detection. It continuously monitors engine outputs for anomalous signatures induced by faults. The off-line diagnostic algorithm is designed to track engine health degradation over the lifetime of an engine. It estimates engine health degradation periodically over the course of the engine s life. The estimate generated by the off-line algorithm is used to update the on-line algorithm. Through this integration, the on-line algorithm becomes aware of engine health degradation, and its effectiveness to detect faults can be maintained while the engine continues to degrade. The benefit of this integration is investigated in a simulation environment using a nonlinear engine model.

Kobayashi, Takahisa

Line identifications, line strengths, and continuum flux measurements in the ultraviolet spectrum of Arcturus

The ultraviolet spectrum of Arcturus has been observed at high resolution with the IUE satellite. Line identifications, mean absolute 'continuum' flux measurements, integrated absolute emission-line fluxes, and measurements of selected absorption line strengths are presented for the 2250-2930 A region. In the 1150-2000 A region, identifications are given primarily on the basis of low-resolution spectra. Chromospheric emission lines have been identified with low-excitation species including H I, C I, C II, O I, Mg I, Mg II, Al II, Si I, Si II, S I, and Fe II; there is no evidence for lines of C IV, N V, or other species requiring high temperatures. A search for molecular absorption features in the 2500-2930 A interval has led to several tentative identifications, but only OH could be established as definitely present. Iron lines strongly dominate the identifications in the 2250-2930 A region, Fe II accounting for about 86 percent of the emission features and Fe I for 43 percent of the identified absorption features.

Carpenter, K. G.

Sensitivity of the curve-to-growth technique utilized in rocket experiments to determine the line shape of solar He I resonance lines

The sensitivity of the curve-of-growth (COG) technique utilized in rocket measurements to determine the line profiles of the solar He I resonance emissions is theoretically examined with attention to the possibility of determining the line core shape using this technique. The line at 584.334 A is chosen as an illustration. Various possible source functions of the solar line have been assumed in the computation of the integrated transmitted intensity. A recent observational data set obtained by the present researchers is used as the constraint of the computation. It is confirmed that the COG technique can indeed provide a good measurement of the solar line width. However, to obtain detailed knowledge of the solar profile at line center and in the core region, (1) it is necessary to be able to carry out relative solar flux measurements with a 1-percent or better precision, and (2) it must be possible to measure the He gas pressure in the absorption cell to lower than 0.1 mtorr. While these numbers apply specifically to the present geometry, the results are readily scaled to other COG measurements using other experimental parameters.

Wu, C. Y. R.

Line broadening of Mg X 609 and 625 A coronal emission lines observed above the solar limb

A University of Colorado sounding rocket experiment on March 17, 1988, provided high-resolution EUV spectra along a solar diameter and out to 1.2 solar radius with spatial resolution of 20 x 60 arcsec. Each spectrum contains transition region and coronal emission lines in the wavelength range 605-635 A and 1210-1270 A, including the emission lines Mg X 609 and 625 A, Fe XII 1242 A, O V 629 A, N V 1238 and 1242 A, corresponding to a wide range of temperatures of formation. Increased line broadening is observed above the limb for all lines, and this effect is illustrated by presenting observed line widths as a function of height above the limb for the higher temperature lines Mg X 609 and 625 A. On the basis of calculations, the most likely cause of the increased broadening above the limb appears to be the presence of hydromagnetic waves in the corona.

Hassler, Donald M.

Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei. IV - Intensity variations of the optical emission lines of NGC 5548

Measurements of optical emission-line flux variations based on spectra of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548 obtained between December 1988 and October 1989 are reported. All of the measured optical emission lines, H-alpha, H-beta, H-gamma, He I 5876, and He II 4686, exhibit the same qualitative behavior as the UV and optical continua, but with short time delays, or lags, which are different for the various lines. Cross-correlation analysis is applied to measure the lags between the various lines and the continuum. Similar lags are found with respect to the UV continuum for H-alpha and H-beta, 17 and 19 d, respectively. The lag for H-gamma is shorter (13 d), only somewhat larger than the lag measured for Ly-alpha (about 10 d). The helium lines respond to continuum variations more rapidly than the hydrogen lines, with lags of about 7 d for He II 4686 and 11 d for He I 5876.

Dietrich, M.

The HST quasar absorption line key project. 9: An emission-line study of PG 2251+113

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and quasi-simultaneous ground-based observations of the z = 0.3252 QSO PG 2251+113. We find a correlation between line widths and the critical density for de-excitation of the forbidden emission lines observed in this object. We can show that this correlation also applies to the semiforbidden and possibly also the permitted lines which arise in the broad emission-line region. While this result was predicted from statistical studies, it has never previously been shown to hold in detail in any individual object. This relationship between the narrow and broad emission-line regions may help constrain dynamical models of both regions. We examine the implications of this result for a simple radial infall model of the emitting gas developed to explain the origin of narrow-line profiles.

Espey, Brian R.

Accelerated line-by-line calculation of spectral absorption coefficients with high numerical accuracy

To model radiative transfer through the atmosphere with high accuracy, one must resort to the calculation of spectral absorption coefficients on a line-by-line basis. The calculation of these coefficients is computationally expensive for three reasons: (1) thousands of spectral lines can contribute to absorption at a single frequency; (2) the tails of spectral line profiles are long (i.e., a given line can contribute to absorption over a wide range of frequencies); and (3) the sampling frequencies at which monochromatic radiances are to be calculated must be spaced sufficiently close together to resolve the thinnest lines of interest (e.g., those that arise in the stratosphere). We have developed a new algorithm to accelerate the calculation of spectral absorption coefficients while retaining high numerical accuracy.

Sparks, L.

Issues concerning the Orion gamma ray line observations: Line splitting and LiBeB origin

The phenomenon of broad gamma ray line splitting is discussed, together with a scenario for the suppression of the blue wings of these broad lines due to the geometry of the accelerated particle interaction region. The broad and narrow gamma ray line emissions are compared taking into account the line splitting effect. It is concluded that the observed gamma ray lines from Orion are most likely broad, implying that the low energy cosmic rays which produce this line emission consist mostly of C and heavier ions. The suppression of the proton and alpha particle abundances requires acceleration conditions such as the acceleration of the ejecta of the supernovae before mixing with the interstellar medium. Similar conditions are implied by observations of the B and Be in low metallicity stars formed during the first Gyr of galactic evolution.

Ramaty, R.

Does the Iron K and Alpha: Line of Active Galactic Nuclei Arise from the Cerenkov Line-like Radiation?

When thermal relativistic electrons with isotropic distribution of velocities move in a gas region or impinge upon the surface of a cloud that consists of a dense gas or doped dusts, the Cerenkov effect produces peculiar atomic or ionic emission lines, which is known as the Cerenkov line - like radiation. This newly recognized emission mechanism may find wide applications in high-energy astrophysics. In this paper we tentatively adopt this new line emission mechanism to discuss the origin of the iron K&alpha; feature of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The motivation of this research is to attempt a solution to a problem encountered by the "disk fluorescence line" model, i.e. , the lack of temporal response of the observed iron K&alpha; line flux to the changes of the X-ray continuum flux. If the Cerenkov line emission is indeed responsible significant ly for the iron K&alpha; feature, the conventional scenario around the central supermassive black holes of AGNs would need to be modified to accomodate more energetic, more violent, and much denser environments than previously thought.

You, J. H.