904 research outputs found
Physical parameters of three field RR Lyrae stars
This work was partially supported by DGAPA–Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico through project IN104612.Stromgren uvby - beta photometry of the stars classified as RR Lyrae stars RU Piscium, SS Piscium and TU Ursae Majoris has been used to estimate their iron abundance, temperature, gravity and absolute magnitude. The stability of the pulsating period is discussed. The nature of SS Psc as a RRc or a HADS is addressed. The reddening of each star is estimated from the Stromgren colour indices and reddening sky maps. The results of three approaches to the determination of [Fe/H], T-eff and log(g) are discussed: Fourier light curve decomposition, the Preston Delta S index and the theoretical grids on the (b - y)(o) - c(10) plane.Peer reviewe
MarsLux: HI-Resolution Illumination Maps Generator for Mars
Illumination simulation codes for the Moon's surface have been thoroughly developed during the last years. Despite works done for the Moon, no studies have investigated the relation between sunlight illumination and the Martian surface applying those codes done for the Moon to Mars. The objective of this work is to describe the development of a surface illumination simulation code, called MarsLux, which allows users to make a detailed investigation of the illumination conditions on Mars, based on its topography and the relative position of the Sun. Our code can derive accurate illumination maps, form topographic data, showing areas that are fully illuminated, areas in total shadow, and areas with partial shade, in short computational times. Although the code does not take into account any atmospheric effect, the results proved to be of high accuracy. The maps generated are useful for geomorphological studies, to study gullies, thermal weathering, or mass wasting processes as well as for producing energy budget maps for future exploration missions.Fil: Spagnuolo, Mauro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Carballo, Federico Daniel. Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Marco Figuera, R.. Jacobs University Bremen; AlemaniaFil: Rossi, A. P.. Jacobs University Bremen; Alemani
Variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 7492. New discoveries and physical parameters determination
We have performed a photometric V, R, I CCD time-series analysis with a
baseline of ~8 years of the outer-halo globular cluster NGC 7492 with the aim
of searching for new variables and using these (and the previously known
variables) to determine the physical parameters of interest for the cluster
(e.g. metallicity, absolute magnitude of the horizontal branch, distance,
etc.).
We use difference image analysis (DIA) to extract precise light curves in the
relatively crowded star field, especially towards the densely populated central
region. Several approaches are used for variability detection that recover the
known variables and lead to new discoveries. We determine the physical
parameters of the only RR0 star using light curve Fourier decomposition
analysis.
We find one new long period variable and two SX Phe stars in the blue
straggler region. We also present one candidate SX Phe star which requires
follow-up observations. Assuming that the SX Phe stars are cluster members and
using the period-luminosity relation for these stars, we estimate their
distances as ~25.2+-1.8 and 26.8+-1.8 kpc, and identify their possible modes of
oscillation. We refine the periods of the two RR Lyrae stars in our field of
view. We find that the RR1 star V2 is undergoing a period change and possibly
exhibits the Blazhko effect. Fourier decomposition of the light curve of the
RR0 star V1 allows us to estimate the metallicity [Fe/H]_ZW-1.68+-0.10 or
[Fe/H]_UVES-1.64+-0.13, log-luminosity ~1.76+-0.02, absolute magnitude
~0.38+-0.04 mag, and true distance modulus of ~16.93+-0.04 mag, which is
equivalent to a distance of ~24.3+-0.5 kpc. All of these values are consistent
with previous estimates in the literature.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in A&
Constraining the parameters of globular cluster NGC 1904 from its variable star population
We present the analysis of 11 nights of V and I time-series observations of
the globular cluster NGC 1904 (M 79). Using this we searched for variable stars
in this cluster and attempted to refine the periods of known variables, making
use of a time baseline spanning almost 8 years. We use our data to derive the
metallicity and distance of NGC 1904. We used difference imaging to reduce our
data to obtain high-precision light curves of variable stars. We then estimated
the cluster parameters by performing a Fourier decomposition of the light
curves of RR Lyrae stars for which a good period estimate was possible. We also
derive an estimate for the age of the cluster by fitting theoretical isochrones
to our colour-magnitude diagram (CMD). Out of 13 stars previously classified as
variables, we confirm that 10 are bona fide variables. We cannot detect
variability in one other within the precision of our data, while there are two
which are saturated in our data frames, but we do not find sufficient evidence
in the literature to confirm their variability. We also detect a new RR Lyrae
variable, giving a total number of confirmed variable stars in NGC 1904 of 11.
Using the Fourier parameters, we find a cluster metallicity [Fe/H]_ZW=-1.63 +-
0.14, or [Fe/H]_UVES=-1.57 \pm 0.18, and a distance of 13.3 +- 0.4 kpc (using
RR0 variables) or 12.9 kpc (using the one RR1 variable in our sample for which
Fourier decomposition was possible).Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Labyrinthine Island Growth during Pd/Ru(0001) Heteroepitaxy
Using low energy electron microscopy we observe that Pd deposited on Ru only
attaches to small sections of the atomic step edges surrounding Pd islands.
This causes a novel epitaxial growth mode in which islands advance in a
snakelike motion, giving rise to labyrinthine patterns. Based on density
functional theory together with scanning tunneling microscopy and low energy
electron microscopy we propose that this growth mode is caused by a surface
alloy forming around growing islands. This alloy gradually reduces step
attachment rates, resulting in an instability that favors adatom attachment at
fast advancing step sections
Geospatial web services pave new ways for server-based on-demand access and processing of Big Earth Data
Big Earth Data has experienced a considerable increase in volume in recent years due to improved sensing technologies and improvement of numerical-weather prediction models. The traditional geospatial data analysis workflow hinders the use of large volumes of geospatial data due to limited disc space and computing capacity. Geospatial web service technologies bring new opportunities to access large volumes of Big Earth Data via the Internet and to process them at server-side. Four practical examples are presented from the marine, climate, planetary and earth observation science communities to show how the standard interface Web Coverage Service and its processing extension can be integrated into the traditional geospatial data workflow.Web service technologies offer a time- and cost-effective way to access multi-dimensional data in a user-tailored format and allow for rapid application development or time-series extraction. Data transport is minimised and enhanced processing capabilities are offered. More research is required to investigate web service implementations in an operational mode and large data centres have to become more progressive towards the adoption of geo-data standard interfaces. At the same time, data users have to become aware of the advantages of web services and be trained how to benefit from them most
Novel Microscopic Mechanism of Intermixing during Growth on Soft Metallic Substrates
Generic computer simulations using empiric interatomic potentials suggest a new, collective mechanism that could be responsible for mixing at heteroepitaxial interfaces. Even if single adsorbate atoms diffuse by hopping on the substrate surface and do not mix at the terraces, two-dimensional islands formed by nucleation may become unstable above a certain critical size and explode upwards forming clusters of several atomic layers. This process is accompanied by strong distortions of the underlying atomic layers, and on soft materials it can result in surface etching and incorporation of substrate atoms into the islands.Fil: Gomez, Liliana Maria. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Ingeniería y Agrimensura; ArgentinaFil: Slutzky, Claudia Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: Ferron, Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; ArgentinaFil: de la Figuera, J.. Sandia National Laboratories; Estados UnidosFil: Camarero, J.. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Vazquez de Parga, A.. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: de Miguel, J.J.. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Miranda, R.. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Españ
Hydrogen-induced reversible spin-reorientation transition and magnetic stripe domain phase in bilayer Co on Ru(0001)
Imaging the change in the magnetization vector in real time by spin-polarized
low-energy electron microscopy, we observed a hydrogen-induced, reversible
spin-reorientation transition in a cobalt bilayer on Ru(0001). Initially,
hydrogen sorption reduces the size of out-of-plane magnetic domains and leads
to the formation of a magnetic stripe domain pattern, which can be understood
as a consequence of reducing the out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. Further
hydrogen sorption induces a transition to an in-plane easy-axis. Desorbing the
hydrogen by heating the film to 400 K recovers the original out-of-plane
magnetization. By means of ab-initio calculations we determine that the origin
of the transition is the local effect of the hybridization of the hydrogen
orbital and the orbitals of the Co atoms bonded to the absorbed hydrogen.Comment: 5 figure
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