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NASA NTRS2021

The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Programme: Modelling Selection Efficiency and Observed Core-collapse Supernova Contamination

The analysis of current and future cosmological surveys of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at high redshift depends on the accuratephotometric classification of the SN events detected. Generating realistic simulations of photometric SN surveys constitutes anessential step for training and testing photometric classification algorithms, and for correcting biases introduced by selectioneffects and contamination arising from core-collapse SNe in the photometric SN Ia samples. We use published SN time-seriesspectrophotometric templates, rates, luminosity functions, and empirical relationships between SNe and their host galaxies toconstruct a framework for simulating photometric SN surveys. We present this framework in the context of the Dark EnergySurvey (DES) 5-yr photometric SN sample, comparing our simulations of DES with the observed DES transient populations.We demonstrate excellent agreement in many distributions, including Hubble residuals, between our simulations and data.We estimate the core collapse fraction expected in the DES SN sample after selection requirements are applied and beforephotometric classification. After testing different modelling choices and astrophysical assumptions underlying our simulation,we find that the predicted contamination varies from 7.2 to 11.7 per cent, with an average of 8.8 per cent and an r.m.s. of 1.1 percent. Our simulations are the first to reproduce the observed photometric SN and host galaxy properties in high-redshift surveyswithout fine-tuning the input parameters. The simulation methods presented here will be a critical component of the cosmologyanalysis of the DES photometric SN Ia sample: correcting for biases arising from contamination, and evaluating the associatedsystematic uncertainty.

M Vincenzi↗
NASA NTRS1982

On the cosmological evolution of the X-ray emission from quasars

The average dependence of the ratio of X-ray luminosity to optical luminosity as a function of redshift and optical luminosity for quasars is derived, and it is found that the explicit dependence of this ratio is predominantly on optical luminosity. For a wide class of models for the cosmological evolution of quasars, the results imply that the evolution of the X-ray luminosity function is weaker than the evolution of the optical luminosity function. Implications for physical models of quasars and for global properties of the quasar population are indicated.

Avni, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Toward a Unified View of Black-Hole High-Energy States

We present here a review of high-energy (greater than 1 keV) observations of seven black-hole candidates, six of which have estimated masses. In this review we focus on two parameters of interest: the ratio of 'nonthermal' to total luminosity as a function of the total luminosity divided by the Eddington luminosity, and the root-mean-square (rms) variability as a function of the nonthermal-to-total luminosity ratio. Below approx. 10% Eddington luminosity, the sources tend to be strictly nonthermal (the so called 'off' and 'low' states). Above this luminosity the sources become mostly thermal (the 'high' state). with the nonthermal component increasing with luminosity (the 'very high' and 'flare' states). There are important exceptions to this behavior, however, and no steady - as opposed to transient - source has been observed over a wide range of parameter space. In addition, the rms variability is positively correlated with the ratio of nonthermal to total luminosity, although there may be a minimum level of variability associated with 'thermal' states. We discuss these results in light of theoretical models and find that currently no single model describes the full range of black-hole high-energy behavior. In fact, the observations are exactly opposite from what one expects based upon simple notions of accretion disk instabilities.

Nowak, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Power spectrum, correlation function, and tests for luminosity bias in the CfA redshift survey

We describe and apply a method for directly computing the power spectrum for the galaxy distribution in the extension of the Center for Astrophysics Redshift Survey. Tests show that our technique accurately reproduces the true power spectrum for k greater than 0.03 h Mpc(exp -1). The dense sampling and large spatial coverage of this survey allow accurate measurement of the redshift-space power spectrum on scales from 5 to approximately 200 h(exp -1) Mpc. The power spectrum has slope n approximately equal -2.1 on small scales (lambda less than or equal 25 h(exp -1) Mpc) and n approximately -1.1 on scales 30 less than lambda less than 120 h(exp -1) Mpc. On larger scales the power spectrum flattens somewhat, but we do not detect a turnover. Comparison with N-body simulations of cosmological models shows that an unbiased, open universe CDM model (OMEGA h = 0.2) and a nonzero cosmological constant (CDM) model (OMEGA h = 0.24, lambda(sub zero) = 0.6, b = 1.3) match the CfA power spectrum over the wavelength range we explore. The standard biased CDM model (OMEGA h = 0.5, b = 1.5) fails (99% significance level) because it has insufficient power on scales lambda greater than 30 h(exp -1) Mpc. Biased CDM with a normalization that matches the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropy (OMEGA h = 0.5, b = 1.4, sigma(sub 8) (mass) = 1) has too much power on small scales to match the observed galaxy power spectrum. This model with b = 1 matches both Cosmic Background Explorer Satellite (COBE) and the small-scale power spect rum but has insufficient power on scales lambda approximately 100 h(exp -1) Mpc. We derive a formula for the effect of small-scale peculiar velocities on the power spectrum and combine this formula with the linear-regime amplification described by Kaiser to compute an estimate of the real-space power spectrum. Two tests reveal luminosity bias in the galaxy distribution: First, the amplitude of the pwer spectrum is approximately 40% larger for the brightest 50% of galaxies in volume-limited samples that have M(sub lim) greater than M*. This bias in the power spectrum is independent of scale, consistent with the peaks-bias paradigm for galaxy formation. Second, the distribution of local density around galaxies shows that regions of moderate and high density contain both very bright (M less than M* = -19.2 + 5 log h) and fainter galaxies, but that voids preferentially harbor fainter galaxies (approximately 2 sigma significance level).

Park, Changbom↗
NASA NTRS2017

Luminosity-dependent Changes of the Cyclotron Line Energy and Spectral Hardness in Cepheus X-4

Context. X-ray spectra of accreting pulsars are generally observed to vary with their X-ray luminosity. In particular, the hardness of the X-ray continuum is found to depend on luminosity. In a few sources, the correlation between the energy of the cyclotron resonance scattering feature (CRSF) and the luminosity is clear. Different types (signs) of the correlation are believed to reflect different accretion modes. Aims. We analyse two NuSTAR observations of the transient accreting pulsar Cep X-4 during its 2014 outburst. Our analysis is focused on a detailed investigation of the dependence of the CRSF energy and of the spectral hardness on X-ray luminosity, especially on short timescales. Methods. To investigate the spectral changes as a function of luminosity within each of the two observations, we used the intrinsic variability of the source on the timescale of individual pulse cycles (tens of seconds), the so-called pulse-to-pulse variability. Results. We find that the NuSTAR spectrum of Cep X-4 contains two CRSFs: the fundamental line at ~30 keV and its harmonic at ~55 keV. We find for the first time that the energy of the fundamental CRSF increases and the continuum becomes harder with increasing X-ray luminosity not only between the two observations, that is, on the long timescale, but also within an individual observation, on the timescale of a few tens of seconds. We investigate these dependencies in detail including their non-linearity. We discuss a possible physical interpretation of the observed behaviour in the frame of a simple one-dimensional model of the polar emitting region with a collisionless shock formed in the infalling plasma near the neutron star surface. With this model, we are able to reproduce the observed variations of the continuum hardness ratio and of the CRSF energy with luminosity.

Vybornov, V.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The nearby Abell clusters. II - Luminosity and spatial distribution of galaxies in A2175, A2256, and A2384

The luminosity and spatial distributions of galaxies in the nearby Abell clusters A2175, A2256, and A2384 have been studied using an automated object detection, classification, and photometry system. Schecter functions have been fit to the observed luminosity functions of these clusters. Values of the characteristic magnitude Mr(asterisk) at the 'break' in the luminosity function (LF) are found that are within about 0.25 mag of the so-called 'universal' value of Mr(asterisk) for A2256 and A2384. The faint ends of the LFs of these two clusters are fairly flat, with a value of -1.6 that is steeper than the universal value of -1.25. The spatial distributions of galaxies in all three clusters seem to be described fairly well by power laws, with no evidence for constant-density cores, when the cluster center is assumed to be the central D or cD galaxy. These results indicate a strong correlation between the density distribution of galaxies and the presence of a dominant D or cD galaxy in the cluster.

Oegerle, William R.↗
NASA NTRS2020

NuSTAR Observation of GROJ1744−28 at Low Mass Accretion Rate

Context.Neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are important systems to study the physics of accretion onto compact ob-jects. The system GRO J1744−28 is particularly interesting, as it usually shows clear pulsations as well as X-ray bursts. Additionally,there are claims for a magnetic field of 5×1011G through the detection of a Cyclotron Resonant Scattering Feature (CRSF).Aims.We present the spectral analysis of GRO J1744−28 using∼29 ks of NuSTAR data taken in 2017 February at a low luminosityof 3.2×1036erg s−1(3–50 keV). Our goal is to study the variability of the source spectrum with pulse phase and to search for the claimed CRSF. Methods.The continuum spectrum is modeled with an absorbed power-law with exponential cut-off, and an additional iron line component. We find no obvious indications for a CRSF and therefore perform a detailed cyclotron line search using statistical methods.We perform this search on pulse phase-averaged as well as phase-resolved spectra. Results.GRO J1744−28 was observed at one of the lowest luminosities studied so far. The previously detected Type II X-ray bursts re absent. Clear pulsations at a period of 2.141124(9) Hz are detected. The pulse profile shows an indication of a secondary peak,which was not seen at higher flux. The 4σupper limit for the strength of a CRSF in the 3–20 keV band is 0.07 keV, lower than the strength of the line found at higher luminosity. Conclusions.The detection of pulsations shows that the source did not enter the “propeller” regime, even though the source flux of4.15×10−10erg cm−2s−1was almost one order of magnitude below the threshold for the propeller regime claimed in previous studies on this source. The transition into the propeller regime in GRO J1744−28 must therefore be below a luminosity of 3.2×1036erg s−1(3–50 keV), which implies a surface magnetic field.2.9×1011G and mass accretion rate.1.7×1016g s−1. A change of the CRSF depth as function of luminosity is not unexpected and has been observed in other sources. This result possibly implies a change in emission geometry as function of mass accretion rate to reduce the depth of the line below our detection limit.

Ole König↗
NASA NTRS1981

de Sitter's model and luminosity - Distance in cosmology

The behavior of luminosity-distance with redshift is analyzed within the framework of homogeneous zero-pressure relativistic cosmology. de Sitter's model is shown to have the most redshift sensitive luminosity-distance function of all cosmologies which have q sub 0 not less than -1. Quasar data which suggest a cut-off in absolute luminosity are reanalyzed and the cut-off disappears if either de Sitter's model or the assumption L(L-alpha) = 3 L(H-beta) is used.

Barnes, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

X-ray, optical, and IR luminosity correlations in quasars

For a sample of 88 radio-quiet quasars that includes 12 X-ray upper limits, it is found that the X-ray and IR luminosities follow a significantly nonlinear relation that is consistent with that found for the X-ray and optical luminosities. The redshift dependence is weak and may be nonexistent. Since the optical through IR continuum of quasars is much the same shape as a function of luminosity, this implies that the nonlinear relation between the X-ray luminosity and the optical and IR luminosities is due to a systematic change in the X-ray continuum of quasars with increasing luminosity. Either the X-ray continuum must flatten with increasing luminosity, or the overall normalization relative to the optical and IR must decrease. Simple continuum models which link the IR and X-ray portions of the continuum by a single power law arising from the same synchrotron mechanism can be ruled out.

Kriss, Gerard A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

X-ray studies of quasars with the Einstein Observatory. IV - X-ray dependence on radio emission

The X-ray properties of a sample of 114 radio-loud quasars observed with the Einstein Observatory are examined, and the results are compared with those obtained from a large sample of radio-quiet quasars. The results of statistical analysis of the dependence of X-ray luminosity on combined functions of optical and radio luminosity show that the dependence on both luminosities is important. However, statistically significant differences are found between subsamples of flat radio spectra quasars and steep radio spectra quasars with regard to dependence of X-ray luminosity on only radio luminosity. The data are consistent with radio-loud quasars having a physical component, not directly related to the optical luminosity, which produces the core radio luminosity plus 'extra' X-ray emission.

Worrall, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Photometric studies of composite stellar systems. I - CO and JHK observations of E and S0 galaxies

Multiaperture infrared photometric observations of the central regions of 51 early-type galaxies and of the integrated light of five globular clusters are presented. These data are compared with selected optical observations and with various model predictions. The main results of the work are: (1) the observed parameters for the brighter galaxies, particularly the CO index and the V-K color, agree with the predictions of stellar synthesis models characterized by giant-dominated populations with mass/visual luminosity ratios less than 10; (2) the galaxian broad-band colors tend to redden with increasing luminosity and decreasing aperture size; (3) for the globular clusters, there is evidence that the integrated colors become redder with increasing metallicity; and (4) in bright galaxies the relative changes of U-V, V-J, and J-K as functions of radius may differ from the relative changes as functions of luminosity at a fixed radius.

Frogel, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Black Holes across the Mass Spectrum-from Stellar Mass BH to ULXs and AGN

I will discuss the observational characteristics of black holes and how they compare across the 10^8 range in mass and as a function of luminosity and apparent Eddington ratio. I will concentrate on the broad band spectrum, the timing signatures and the energy budget of these objects. In particular I will stress the similarities and differences in the x-ray spectra and power density spectra of AGN, ultraluminous x-ray sources and galactic black holes as a function of 'state'. I will also discuss the nature of the Fe K line and other diagnostics of the regions near the event horizon.

Mushotzky, Richard↗
NASA NTRS2013

Accretion Disks Around Binary Black Holes of Unequal Mass: GRMHD Simulations Near Decoupling

We report on simulations in general relativity of magnetized disks onto black hole binaries. We vary the binary mass ratio from 1:1 to 1:10 and evolve the systems when they orbit near the binary disk decoupling radius. We compare (surface) density profiles, accretion rates (relative to a single, non-spinning black hole), variability, effective alpha-stress levels and luminosities as functions of the mass ratio. We treat the disks in two limiting regimes: rapid radiative cooling and no radiative cooling. The magnetic field lines clearly reveal jets emerging from both black hole horizons and merging into one common jet at large distances. The magnetic fields give rise to much stronger shock heating than the pure hydrodynamic flows, completely alter the disk structure, and boost accretion rates and luminosities. Accretion streams near the horizons are among the densest structures; in fact, the 1:10 no-cooling evolution results in a refilling of the cavity. The typical effective temperature in the bulk of the disk is approx. 10(exp5) (M / 10(exp 8)M solar mass (exp -1/4(L/L(sub edd) (exp 1/4K) yielding characteristic thermal frequencies approx. 10 (exp 15) (M /10(exp 8)M solar mass) (exp -1/4(L/L (sub edd) (1+z) (exp -1)Hz. These systems are thus promising targets for many extragalactic optical surveys, such as LSST, WFIRST, and PanSTARRS.

Supermassive↗
NASA NTRS2017

Testing the Universality of the Stellar IMF with Chandra and HST

The stellar initial mass function (IMF), which is often assumed to be universal across unresolved stellar populations, has recently been suggested to be bottom-heavy for massive ellipticals. In these galaxies, the prevalence of gravity-sensitive absorption lines (e.g., Na I and Ca II) in their near-IR spectra implies an excess of low-mass (m < or approx. = 0.5 Stellar Mass) stars over that expected from a canonical IMF observed in low-mass ellipticals. A direct extrapolation of such a bottom-heavy IMF to high stellar masses (m > or approx. = 8 Stellar Mass) would lead to a corresponding deficit of neutron stars and black holes, and therefore of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), per unit near-IR luminosity in these galaxies. Peacock et al. searched for evidence of this trend and found that the observed number of LMXBs per unit K-band luminosity (N/LK) was nearly constant. We extend this work using new and archival Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope observations of seven low-mass ellipticals where N/LK is expected to be the largest and compare these data with a variety of IMF models to test which are consistent with the observed N/LK. We reproduce the result of Peacock et al., strengthening the constraint that the slope of the IMF at m > or approx. = 8 Stellar Mass must be consistent with a Kroupa-like IMF. We construct an IMF model that is a linear combination of a Milky Way-like IMF and a broken power-law IMF, with a steep slope (alpha1 = 3.84) for stars < 0.5 Stellar Mass (as suggested by near-IR indices), and that flattens out (alpha2 = 2.14) for stars > 0.5 Stellar Mass, and discuss its wider ramifications and limitations.

galaxies: elliptical and lenticular↗
NASA NTRS1980

QSO evolution and the intergalactic medium

A model is developed of a cold, photoionized intergalactic medium in which only discrete, evolving sources (quasars) produce the observed extragalactic hard X-ray background. Constraints on the model are imposed by observed optical depth limits to various redshifts, far UV and visible flux measurements, X-ray background and source counts in the region 2-6 keV, and it makes use of results of the Palomar Bright Quasar Survey and the Braccesi Quasar survey to obtain expressions for the quasar evolution function, absolute luminosity, present number density and switch-on redshift. Results of computer modeling reveal an intergalactic medium with a density with respect to closure less than 0.35, temperature of 16,000 K and fractional ion abundances of approximately 0.000001 for H I and 0.001 for He II, under the assumption of a Hubble constant of 50 km/sec per Mpc. In addition, spectral indices of -0.4 and -1.3 are obtained for the regions of the emission spectrum above and below 4 x 10 to the 18th Hz.

Sherman, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Solar diameter measurements for study of Sun climate coupling

Variability in solar shape and diameters was examined as a possible probe of an important climatic driving function, solar luminosity variability. The techniques and facilities developed for measuring the solar diameter were used. The observing program and the requisite data reduction were conducted simultaneously. The development of a technique to calibrate the scale in the telescope field progressed to the design and construction phase.

Hill, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Is the Ratio of Observed X-ray Luminosity to Bolometric Luminosity in Early-type Stars Really a Constant?

The observed X-ray emission from early-type stars can be explained by the recombination stellar wind model (or base coronal model). The model predicts that the true X-ray luminosity from the base coronal zone can be 10 to 1000 times greater than the observed X-ray luminosity. From the models, scaling laws were found for the true and observed X-ray luminosities. These scaling laws predict that the ratio of the observed X-ray luminosity to the bolometric luminosity is functionally dependent on several stellar parameters. When applied to several other O and B stars, it is found that the values of the predicted ratio agree very well with the observed values.

Waldron, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

X-ray studies of coeval star samples. III - X-ray emission in the Ursa Major stream

Results are reported from a comprehensive survey of X-ray emission from stars known or suspected to be members of the UMa cluster and/or stream. Of the 42 UMa member stars surveyed, 18 were detected as X-ray sources, and spectral analysis was performed for 10 stars with sufficient X-ray counts. Consideration is given to relations between X-ray luminosity, color, and kinematics of the sample stars, and the X-ray spectra of the UMa stars are discussed in the context of the general problem of stellar X-ray temperatures. Also confirmed is the lack of X-ray-emitting A dwarfs among UMa members; among stars of later spectra type there is a rather large dispersion in X-ray luminosity. This dispersion cannot readily be explained by contamination with field star interlopers and appears rather to be a property of the UMa X-ray luminosity distribution function.

Schmitt, J. H. M. M.↗