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At least 1,333 records · Page 74

SHADOWS CAST BY A WARP IN THE HD 142527 PROTOPLANETARY DISK

Detailed observations of gaps in protoplanetary disks have revealed structures that drive current research on circumstellar disks. One such feature is the two intensity nulls seen along the outer disk of the HD 142527 system, which are particularly well traced in polarized differential imaging. Here we propose that these are shadows cast by the inner disk. The inner and outer disk are thick, in terms of the unit-opacity surface in the H band, so that the shape and orientation of the shadows inform on the three-dimensional structure of the system. Radiative transfer predictions on a parametric disk model allow us to conclude that the relative inclination between the inner and outer disks is 70° ± 5°. This finding taps the potential of high-contrast imaging of circumstellar disks, and bears consequences on the gas dynamics of gapped disks, as well as on the physical conditions in the shadowed regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SIMULTANEOUS LINEAR AND CIRCULAR OPTICAL POLARIMETRY OF ASTEROID (4) VESTA

From a single 3.8 hr observation of the asteroid (4) Vesta at 13.°7 phase angle with the POlarimeter at Lick for Inclination Studies of Hot jupiters 2 (POLISH2) at the Lick Observatory Shane 3 m telescope, we confirm rotational modulation of linear polarization in the B and V bands. We measure the peak-to-peak modulation in the degree of linear polarization to be ΔP = (294 ± 35) × 10{sup −6} (ppm) and time-averaged ΔP/P = 0.0575 ± 0.0069. After rotating the plane of linear polarization to the scattering plane, asteroidal rotational modulation is detected with 12σ confidence and observed solely in Stokes Q/I. POLISH2 simultaneously measures Stokes I, Q, U (linear polarization), and V (circular polarization), but we detect no significant circular polarization with a 1σ upper limit of 78 ppm in the B band. Circular polarization is expected to arise from multiple scattering of sunlight by rough surfaces, and it has previously been detected in nearly all other classes of solar system bodies except for asteroids. Subsequent observations may be compared with surface albedo maps from the Dawn Mission, which may allow the identification of compositional variation across the asteroidal surface. These results demonstrate the high accuracy achieved by POLISH2 at the Lick 3 m telescope, which is designed to directly detect scattered light from spatially unresolvable exoplanets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

THE WELL-ALIGNED ORBIT OF WASP-84b: EVIDENCE FOR DISK MIGRATION OF A HOT JUPITER

We report the sky-projected orbital obliquity (spin–orbit angle) of WASP-84 b, a 0.69M{sub Jup} planet in an 8.52 day orbit around a G9V/K0V star, to be λ = −0.3 ± 1.7°. We obtain a true obliquity of ψ = 17.3 ± 7.7° from a measurement of the inclination of the stellar spin axis with respect to the sky plane. Due to the young age and the weak tidal forcing of the system, we suggest that the orbit of WASP-84b is unlikely to have both realigned and circularized from the misaligned and/or eccentric orbit likely to have arisen from high-eccentricity migration. Therefore we conclude that the planet probably migrated via interaction with the protoplanetary disk. This would make it the first “hot Jupiter” (P<10 d) to have been shown to have migrated via this pathway. Further, we argue that the distribution of obliquities for planets orbiting cool stars (T{sub eff} < 6250 K) suggests that high-eccentricity migration is an important pathway for the formation of short-orbit, giant planets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

HEIGHT VARIATION OF THE VECTOR MAGNETIC FIELD IN SOLAR SPICULES

Proving the magnetic configuration of solar spicules has hitherto been difficult due to the lack of spatial resolution and image stability during off-limb ground-based observations. We report spectropolarimetric observations of spicules taken in the He i 1083 nm spectral region with the Tenerife Infrared Polarimeter II at the German Vacuum Tower Telescope of the Observatorio del Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain). The data provide the variation with geometrical height of the Stokes I, Q, U, and V profiles, whose encoded information allows the determination of the magnetic field vector by means of the HAZEL inversion code. The inferred results show that the average magnetic field strength at the base of solar spicules is about 80 gauss, and then it decreases rapidly with height to about 30 gauss at a height of 3000 km above the visible solar surface. Moreover, the magnetic field vector is close to vertical at the base of the chromosphere and has mid-inclinations (about 50°) above 2 Mm height.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Alma resolves the properties of star-forming regions in a dense gas disk at z ∼ 3

We exploit long baseline ALMA submillimeter observations of the lensed star-forming galaxy SDP 81 at z = 3.042 to investigate the properties of the interstellar medium (ISM) on scales of 50–100 pc. The kinematics of the {sup 12}CO gas within this system are well described by a rotationally supported disk with an inclination-corrected rotation speed, v{sub rot} = 320 ± 20 km s{sup −1,} and a dynamical mass of M{sub dyn} = (3.5 ± 1.0)× 10{sup 10} M{sub ⊙} within a radius of 1.5 kpc. The disk is gas-rich and unstable, with a Toomre parameter, Q = 0.30 ± 0.10, and so into star-forming regions with Jeans length L{sub J} ∼ 130 pc. We identify five star-forming regions within the ISM on these scales and show that their scaling relations between luminosity, line widths, and sizes are significantly offset from those typical of molecular clouds in local galaxies (Larson’s relations). These offsets are likely to be caused by the high external hydrostatic pressure for the ISM, P{sub tot}/k{sub B}∼ 40{sub −20}{sup +30} × 10{sup 7} K cm{sup −3}, which is ∼10{sup 4}× higher than the typical ISM pressure in the Milky Way. The physical conditions of the star-forming ISM and giant molecular clouds appear to be similar to those found in the densest environments in the local universe, such as those in the Galactic center.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

ON THE NATURE OF THE TERTIARY COMPANION TO FW TAU: ALMA CO OBSERVATIONS AND SED MODELING

It is thought that planetary mass companions may form through gravitational disk instabilities or core accretion. Identifying such objects in the process of formation would provide the most direct test for the competing formation theories. One of the most promising candidates for a planetary mass object still in formation is the third object in the FW Tau system. We present here ALMA cycle 1 observations confirming the recently published 1.3 mm detection of a dust disk around this third object and present for the first time a clear detection of a single peak {sup 12}CO (2–1) line, providing direct evidence for the simultaneous existence of a gas disk. We perform radiative transfer modeling of the third object in FW Tau and find that current observations are consistent with either a brown dwarf embedded in an edge-on disk or a planet embedded in a low inclination disk, which is externally irradiated by the binary companion. Further observations with ALMA, aiming for high SNR detections of non-contaminated gas lines, are required to conclusively unveil the nature of the third object in FW Tau.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DISCOVERY OF A TWO-ARMED SPIRAL STRUCTURE IN THE GAPPED DISK AROUND HERBIG Ae STAR HD 100453

We present Very Large Telescope (VLT)/SPHERE adaptive optics imaging in the Y-, J-, H-, and K-bands of the HD 100453 system and the discovery of a two-armed spiral structure in a disk extending to 0.″37 (∼42 AU) from the star, with highly symmetric arms to the northeast and southwest. Inside of the spiral arms, we resolve a ring of emission from 0.″18 to 0.″25 (∼21–29 AU). By assuming that the ring is intrinsically circular we estimate an inclination of ∼34° from face on. We detect dark crescents on opposite sides (NW and SE) that begin at 0.″18 and continue to radii smaller than our inner working angle of 0.″15, which we interpret as the signature of a gap at ≲21 AU that has likely been cleared by forming planets. We also detect the ∼120 AU companion HD 100453 B, and by comparing our data to 2003 Hubble Space Telescope and VLT/NACO images we estimate an orbital period of ∼850 year. We discuss what implications the discovery of the spiral arms and finer structures of the disk may have on our understanding of the possible planetary system in HD 100453 and how the morphology of this disk compares to other related objects.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY OF THE HIGH-MASS γ-RAY BINARY 1FGL J1018.6−5856: A PROBABLE NEUTRON STAR PRIMARY

We present medium-resolution optical spectroscopy with the SOAR telescope of the O star secondary of the high-mass γ-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6–5856 to help determine whether the primary is a neutron star or black hole. We find that the secondary has a low radial velocity semi-amplitude of 11–12 km s{sup −1}, with consistent values obtained for H and He absorption lines. This low value strongly favors a neutron star primary: while a black hole cannot be excluded if the system is close to face on, such inclinations are disallowed by the observed rotation of the secondary. We also find the high-energy (X-ray and γ-ray) flux maxima occur when the star is behind the compact object along our line of sight, inconsistent with a simple model of anisotropic inverse Compton scattering for the γ-ray photons.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

HIGH-RESOLUTION CHANDRA HETG SPECTROSCOPY OF V404 CYGNI IN OUTBURST

As one of the best-characterized stellar-mass black holes, with good measurements of its mass, distance, and inclination, V404 Cyg is the ideal candidate to study Eddington-limited accretion episodes. After a long quiescent period, V404 Cyg underwent a new outburst in 2015 June. We obtained two Chandra HETG exposures of 20 and 25 ks. Many strong emission lines are observed; the ratio of Si He-like triplet lines gives an estimate for the formation region distance of 4 × 10{sup 11} cm. A narrow Fe Kα line is detected with an equivalent width greater than 1 keV in many epochs, signaling that we do not directly observe the central engine. Obscuration of the central engine and strong narrow emission lines signal that the outer disk may be illuminated, and its structure may help to drive the strong variability observed in V404 Cyg. In the highest flux phases, strong P-Cygni profiles consistent with a strong disk wind are observed, likely radiation or thermally driven as V404 Cyg approaches its Eddington limit. The kinetic power of this wind may be extremely high at >0.1 L{sub Bol}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

MAPPING THE DYNAMICS OF COLD GAS AROUND SGR A* THROUGH 21 cm ABSORPTION

The presence of a circumnuclear stellar disk around Sgr A* and megamaser systems near other black holes indicates that dense neutral disks can be found in galactic nuclei. We show that depending on their inclination angle, optical depth, and spin temperature, these disks could be observed spectroscopically through 21 cm absorption. Related spectroscopic observations of Sgr A* can determine its HI disk parameters and the possible presence of gaps in the disk. Clumps of dense gas similar to the G2 could could also be detected in 21 cm absorption against Sgr A* radio emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quantitative void fraction measurement with an eddy current flowmeter for generation IV Sodium cooled Fast Reactor

This study was carried out to understand the response of an eddy current type flowmeter in two phase liquid-metal flow. We use the technique of ellipse fit and correlate the fluctuations in the angle of inclination of this ellipse with the void fraction. The effects of physical parameters such as coil excitation frequency and flow velocity have been studied. The results show the possibility of using an eddy current flowmeter as a gas detector for large void fractions. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Light refraction in sapphire plates with a variable angle of crystal optical axis to the surface

The modification of sapphire by inhomogeneous plastic deformation makes it possible to obtain plates with a variable angle of inclination of the crystal optical axis to the plate surface. The refraction of light in this plate at perpendicular and oblique incidence of a parallel beam of rays is considered. The algorithm of calculating the refractive index of extraordinary ray and the birefringence is proposed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Quantum oscillations in strong magnetic fields, berry phase, and superconductivity in three-dimensional topological Bi{sub 2–x}Cu{sub x}Se{sub 3} insulators

Two-dimensional (2D) Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations and 2D Hall oscillations are observed in 3D copper-doped Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} single crystals in magnetic fields up to 19.5 T at temperatures down to 0.3 K. Three samples with a high bulk carrier concentration (n ≈ 10{sup 19}–10{sup 20} cm{sup –3}) are studied. The rotation of the samples in a magnetic field shows that these oscillations are related to numerous parallel 2D conducting channels 1–5 nm thick. Their basic kinetic parameters are found. Quantized Hall resistance R{sub xy} is detected in 1-nm-thick 2D conducting channels at high fields. The distance Δ(1/R{sub xy}) between the steps in the field dependence of 1/R{sub xy} is found to be constant for different Landau levels, 1.3e{sup 2}/h per 1-nm-thick layer. The constructed fan diagrams of 2D Landau levels for various angles of sample inclination with respect to the magnetic field direction allowed us to conclude that the Berry phase in the 2D conducting channels is γ ≈ π and independent of the magnetic field direction. When studying the angular dependence of upper resistive critical magnetic field H{sub c2} in one of the superconducting samples, we showed that it can be considered as a bulk superconductor consisting of superconducting layers with an effective thickness of about 50 nm.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Detection of global phenomena of technogenic ultraviolet and infrared nightglows onboard the Vernov satellite

The generation of transients in the Earth’s upper atmosphere under the action of electron fluxes and high- and low-frequency electromagnetic waves has been studied onboard the small Vernov spacecraft (solar synchronous orbit, 98° inclination, height 640–830 km). The studies were carried out with ultraviolet (UV, 240–380 nm), red–infrared (IR, 610–800 nm), gamma-ray (0.01–3 MeV), and electron (0.2–15 MeV) detectors as well as with high-frequency (0.05–15 MHz) and low-frequency (0.1 Hz–40 kHz) radio receivers. Artificial optical signals distributed along the meridian in an extended region of latitudes in the Earth’s Northern and Southern Hemispheres modulated by a low frequency were recorded during the nadir observations at nighttime. Examples of the oscillograms of such signals in the UV and IR spectral ranges and their global distribution are presented. The emission generation altitude and the atmospheric components that can be the sources of this emission are discussed. Particular attention is given to the technogenic causes of this glow in the ionosphere under the action of powerful low- and high-frequency radio stations on the ionosphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Utah FORGE: Slide-Hold-Slide Experiments on Gneiss at Increased Temperature

Included are data from triaxial, single-inclined-fracture friction experiments. The experiments were performed with slide-hold-slide protocol on Utah FORGE gneiss at increased temperature. With a ~10 MPa normal stress, temperatures vary between experiments from room temperature up to 163 Celsius. Hold times vary during experiment from ~10^1 to ~10^5 seconds. Measured are the frictional response upon reactivation after a hold period, active acoustic data (P-wave velocity and amplitude) and passive acoustic data (acoustic emission occurrence and amplitude). There are two types of datafiles: (1) Datafiles containing the friction data, including the temperature and the active acoustic data measured during the experiment (AEXX_Gneiss_Vp_mixref4). The underscore _Vp means that it includes the Vp or P-wave velocity data, with _mixref meaning that we use a mixed reference point for calculating the P-wave velocity. And (2) the datafiles containing the passive acoustics data, a catalog of the acoustic emissions (AE's) measured during the experiment (AEcatalog_AEXX_runX), where AEXX matches the experiment number and runX denotes which part of the experiment the data was collected, matching the times where active acoustic data was collected. AE catalogs are split in two parts when the file size exceeds 1 GB to aid download/opening times.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Utah FORGE: Fluid Injection Induced Shearing Experiments on Fractured Granitoid at Elevated Temperatures

This repository contains experimental data from a series of fluid injection-induced shearing tests conducted on Utah FORGE granitoid. The experiments were performed using an aluminum triaxial pressure vessel (TEMCO) apparatus at Pennsylvania State University. The primary aim was to investigate the impact of temperature on fault seismicity and to explore how different pre-stress ratios influence shearing behavior. The data includes results from experiments conducted under varying conditions of temperature, pre-stress ratios, and pore pressure increments. The rock samples used in these experiments were 60-grit granitoid with a single inclined fracture oriented at 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal cross-section. The dataset also includes measurements of normal stiffness at different temperatures and images of the experimental apparatus. The included README file details each experiential setup and outlines which data files represent which experimental conditions.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Strategy for alignment of electron beam trajectory in LEReC cooling section

We considered the steps required to align the electron beam trajectory through the LEReC cooling section. We devised a detailed procedure for the beam-based alignment of the cooling section solenoids. We showed that it is critical to have an individual control of each CS solenoid current. Finally, we modeled the alignment procedure and showed that with two BPM fitting the solenoid shift can be measured with 40 um accuracy and the solenoid inclination can be measured with 30 urad accuracy. These accuracies are well within the tolerances of the cooling section solenoid alignment.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Improved Precision of Trapezoidal Thread

A shaping method is proposed for cutting a trapezoidal thread on a spindle shaft. This method offers the possibility of using cutters with the same profile in cutting threads of different inclination, depending on the corresponding tolerances.

42 ENGINEERING↗