570 research outputs found
SALT: a Spectral Adaptive Light curve Template for Type Ia Supernovae
We present a new method to parameterize Type Ia Supernovae (SN Ia)
multi-color light curves. The method was developed in order to analyze the
large number of SN Ia multi-color light curves measured in current
high-redshift projects. The technique is based on empirically modeling SN Ia
luminosity variations as a function of phase, wavelength, a shape parameter,
and a color parameter. The model is trained with a sample of well measured
nearby SN Ia and then tested with an independent set of supernovae by building
an optimal luminosity distance estimator combining the supernova rest-frame
luminosity, shape parameter and color reconstructed with the model. The
distances we measure using B- and V-band data show a dispersion around the
Hubble line comparable or lower than obtained with other methods. With this
model, we are able to measure distances using U- and B-band data with a
dispersion around the Hubble line of 0.16 +- 0.05.Comment: Accepted in A&A, June 23, 2005 (printer friendly replacement version,
includes language corrections
Multiband Comparative Study of Optical Microvariability in RL vs. RQ Quasars
We present the results of an optical multi-band (BVR) photometric monitoring
program of 22 core-dominated radio-loud quasars (CRLQs) and 22 radio-quiet
quasars (RQQs). The aim was to compare the properties of microvariability in
both types of quasars. We detected optical microvariability in 5 RQQs and 4
CRLQs. Our results confirm that microvariability in RQQs may be as frequent as
in CRLQs. In addition we compare microvariability duty cycles in different
bands. Finally, the implications for the origin of the microvariations are
briefly discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, Accepted for publication in the Astronomical
Journa
WEBT multiwavelength monitoring and XMM-Newton observations of BL Lacertae in 2007-2008. Unveiling different emission components
In 2007-2008 we carried out a new multiwavelength campaign of the Whole Earth
Blazar Telescope (WEBT) on BL Lacertae, involving three pointings by the
XMM-Newton satellite, to study its emission properties. The source was
monitored in the optical-to-radio bands by 37 telescopes. The brightness level
was relatively low. Some episodes of very fast variability were detected in the
optical bands. The X-ray spectra are well fitted by a power law with photon
index of about 2 and photoelectric absorption exceeding the Galactic value.
However, when taking into account the presence of a molecular cloud on the line
of sight, the data are best fitted by a double power law, implying a concave
X-ray spectrum. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) built with
simultaneous radio-to-X-ray data at the epochs of the XMM-Newton observations
suggest that the peak of the synchrotron emission lies in the near-IR band, and
show a prominent UV excess, besides a slight soft-X-ray excess. A comparison
with the SEDs corresponding to previous observations with X-ray satellites
shows that the X-ray spectrum is extremely variable. We ascribe the UV excess
to thermal emission from the accretion disc, and the other broad-band spectral
features to the presence of two synchrotron components, with their related SSC
emission. We fit the thermal emission with a black body law and the non-thermal
components by means of a helical jet model. The fit indicates a disc
temperature greater than 20000 K and a luminosity greater than 6 x 10^44 erg/s.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&
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