What's That Object? Learning Astronomical Concepts Through The Use Of The Aladin Program And Manipulation Of Astronomical Images

Various studies have noted current shortcomings in the teaching and learning of science in schools, and the results of large-scale tests show that despite heavy investment in education, Brazilians' understanding of science test scores typically fall short of what could be if students had a consistent, high-quality basic education. This article summarizes the teaching plan and systematic study results for an activity titled "What’s That Object?" implemented in the city of Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil, in 2015. Astronomical concepts were taught, and the Aladin software was used in the lessons, which included two computerized memory games produced for this activity.We believe that the results lend strong support to the notion that astronomy education can be improved and motivates educators to teach astronomical concepts at the elementary school level

Faint solar analogs: at the limit of no reddening

The flux distribution of solar analogs is required for calculating the spectral albedo of Solar System bodies such as asteroids and trans-Neptunian objects. Ideally a solar analog should be comparably faint as the target of interest, but only few analogs fainter than V = 9 were identified so far. Only atmospheric parameters equal to solar guarantee a flux distribution equal to solar as well, while only photometric colors equal to solar do not. Reddening is also a factor to consider when selecting faint analog candidates. We implement the methodology for identifying faint analogs at the limit of precision allowed by current spectroscopic surveys. We quantify the precision attainable for the atmospheric parameters effective temperature ($T_{eff}$), metallicity ([Fe/H]), surface gravity (log $g$) when derived from moderate low resolution (R=8000) spectra with S/N $\sim 100$. We calibrated $T_{eff}$ and [Fe/H] as functions of equivalent widths of spectral indices by means of the PCA regression. We derive log $g$, mass, radius, and age from the atmospheric parameters, Gaia parallaxes and evolutionary tracks. We obtained $T_{eff}$/[Fe/H]/log $g$ with precision of 97 K/0.06 dex/0.05 dex. We identify five solar analogs with $V\sim10.5$ (located at $\sim135$ pc): HIP 991, HIP 5811, HIP 69477, HIP 55619 and HIP 61835. Other six stars have $T_{eff}$ close to solar but slightly lower [Fe/H]. Our analogs show no evidence of reddening but for four stars, which present $E(B-V) \geq 0.06$ mag, translating to at least a 200 K decrease in photometric $T_{eff}$.Comment: Paper accepted. Fundamental parameters of the solar analogs are in Table

The VVV Near-IR Galaxy Catalogue beyond the Galactic disk

Knowledge about the large-scale distribution of galaxies is far from complete in the Zone of Avoidance, which is mostly due to high interstellar extinction and to source confusion at lower Galactic latitudes. Past near-infrared (NIR) surveys, such as the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), have shown the power of probing large-scale structure at these latitudes. Our aim is to map the galaxy distribution across the Southern Galactic plane using the VISTA Variables in the V\'ia L\'actea Survey (VVV), which reach 2 to 4 magnitudes deeper than 2MASS. We used SExtractor + PSFEx to identify extended objects and to measure their sizes, the light concentration index, magnitudes, and colours. Morphological and colour constraints and visual inspection were used to confirm galaxies. We present the resulting VVV NIR Galaxy Catalogue of 5563 visually confirmed galaxies, of which only 45 were previously known. This is the largest catalogue of galaxies towards the Galactic plane, with 99% of these galaxies being new discoveries. We found that the galaxy density distribution closely resembled the distribution of low interstellar extinction of the existing NIR maps. We also present a description of the 185 2MASS extended sources observed in the region, of which 16% of these objects had no previous description, which we have now classified. We conclude that interstellar extinction and stellar density are the main limitations for the detection of background galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance. The VVV NIR Galaxy Catalogue is a new data set providing information for extragalactic studies in the Galactic plane.Comment: Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Main Journal 21 page

VISTA Variables in the <i>Vía Láctea</i> (VVV): Halfway Status and Results

The VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) survey is one of six near-infrared ESO public surveys, and is now in its fourth year of observing. Although far from being complete, the VVV survey has already delivered many results, some directly connected to the intended science goals (detection of variable stars, microlensing events, new star clusters), others concerning more exotic objects, e.g., novae. Now, at the end of the fourth observing period, and comprising roughly 50% of the proposed observations, the status of the survey, as well some of results based on the VVV data, are presented.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

What's That Object? Learning Astronomical Concepts Through The Use Of The Aladin Program And Manipulation Of Astronomical Images

Various studies have noted current shortcomings in the teaching and learning of science in schools, and the results of large-scale tests show that despite heavy investment in education, Brazilians' understanding of science test scores typically fall short of what could be if students had a consistent, high-quality basic education. This article summarizes the teaching plan and systematic study results for an activity titled "What’s That Object?" implemented in the city of Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil, in 2015. Astronomical concepts were taught, and the Aladin software was used in the lessons, which included two computerized memory games produced for this activity. We believe that the results lend strong support to the notion that astronomy education can be improved and motivates educators to teach astronomical concepts at the elementary school level

GALExtin: an alternative online tool to determine the interstellar extinction in the Milky Way

International audienceEstimates of interstellar extinction are essential in a broad range of astronomical research. In the last decades, several maps and models of the large-scale interstellar extinction in the Galaxy have been published. However, these maps and models have been developed in different programming languages, with different user interfaces and input/output formats, which makes using and comparing results from these maps and models difficult. To address this issue, we have developed a tool called GALExtin (http://www.galextin.org), which estimates interstellar extinction based on both available 3D models/maps and 2D maps. The user only needs to provide a list with coordinates (and distance) and to choose a model/map. GALExtin will then provide an output list with extinction estimates. It can be implemented in any other portal or model that requires interstellar extinction estimates. Here, a general overview of GALExtin is presented, along with its capabilities, validation, performance and some results

VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV): Halfway Status and Results

The VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) survey is one of six near-infrared ESO public surveys, and is now in its fourth year of observing. Although far from being complete, the VVV survey has already delivered many results, some directly connected to the intended science goals (detection of variable stars, microlensing events, new star clusters), others concerning more exotic objects, e.g., novae. Now, at the end of the fourth observing period, and comprising roughly 50% of the proposed observations, the status of the survey, as well some of results based on the VVV data, are presented.Fil: Hempel, Maren. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. The Milky Way Millennium Nucleus; ChileFil: Minniti, Dante. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Vatican Observatory; ItaliaFil: Dékány, István. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Saito, Roberto K.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Universidade Federal de Sergipe; BrasilFil: Lucas, Philip W.. University Of Hertfordshire; Reino UnidoFil: Emerson, Jim P.. Queen Mary University of London; Reino UnidoFil: Ahumada, Andrea Veronica. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aigrain, Suzanne. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Alonso, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Alonso García, Javier. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Amôres, Eduardo B.. Universidade de Lisboa; PortugalFil: Angeloni, Rodolfo. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Arias, Julia. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Bandyopadhyay, Reba. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Barba, Rodolfo Hector. Universidad de La Serena; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Barbuy, Beatriz. Universidade de São Paulo; BrasilFil: Baume, Gustavo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Beamin, Juan Carlos. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Bedin, Luigi. Space Telescope Science Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Bica, Eduardo. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Borissova, Jordanka. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Bronfman, Leonardo. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Carraro, Giovanni. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Catelan, Márcio. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Claria Olmedo, Juan Jose. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Contreras, Carlos. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Cross, Nicholas. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Davis, Christopher. Joint Astronomy Centre; Estados UnidosFil: de Grijs, Richard. Peking University; ChinaFil: Drew, Janet E.. University Of Hertfordshire; Reino UnidoFil: Fariña, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Feinstein Baigorri, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Lajus, Eduardo Eusebio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Folkes, Stuart. University Of Hertfordshire; Reino UnidoFil: Gamen, Roberto Claudio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Geisler, Douglas. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Gieren, Wolfgang. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Goldman, Bertrand. Max Planck Institute for Astronomy; AlemaniaFil: González, Oscar. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Gosling, Andrew. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Gunthardt, Guillermo Ivan. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Gurovich, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Hambly, Nigel C.. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: Hanson, Margaret. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Hoare, Melvin. University of Leeds; Reino UnidoFil: Irwin, Mike J.. University of Cambridge; Reino UnidoFil: Ivanov, Valentin D.. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Jordán, Andrés. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Kerins, Eamonn. University of Manchester; Reino UnidoFil: Kinemuchi, Karen. National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Estados UnidosFil: Kurtev, Radostin. Universidad de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Longmore, Andy. University of Edinburgh; Reino UnidoFil: López Corredoira, Martin. Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias; EspañaFil: Maccarone, Tom. Texas Tech University; Estados UnidosFil: Martín, Eduardo. Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias; EspañaFil: Masetti, Nicola. Instituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica de Bologna; ItaliaFil: Mennickent, Ronald E.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Merlo, David. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Messineo, Maria. Rochester Institute of Technology; Estados UnidosFil: Mirabel Miquele, Igor Felix. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Monaco, Lorenzo. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Moni Bidin, Christian. Universidad Católica del Norte; ChileFil: Morelli, Lorenzo. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Padilla, Nelson. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Palma, Tali. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba. Instituto de Astronomía Teórica y Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Parisi, Maria Celeste. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Parker, Quentin. Macquarie University; AustraliaFil: Pavani, Daniela. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Pietrukowicz, Pawel. Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center; PoloniaFil: Pietrzynski, Grzegorz. Imperial College London; Reino UnidoFil: Pignata, Giuliano. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Rejkuba, Marina. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Rojas, Alejandra. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Roman Lopes, Alexandre. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Ruiz, María Teresa. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Sale, Stuart E.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Saviane, Ivo. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Schreiber, Matthias R.. Universidad de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Schröder, Anja C.. Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory; SudáfricaFil: Sharma, Saurabh. Universidad de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Smith, Michael. University Of Kent; Reino UnidoFil: Sodré Jr., Laerte. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Soto, Mario. Universidad de La Serena; ChileFil: Stephens, Andrew W.. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan; JapónFil: Tamura, Motohide. Gemini Observatory; Estados UnidosFil: Tappert, Claus. Universidad de Valparaíso; ChileFil: Thompson, Mark A.. University Of Hertfordshire; Reino UnidoFil: Toledo, Ignacio. ALMA Observatory; ChileFil: Valenti, Elena. European Southern Observatory; ChileFil: Vanzi, Leonardo. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Weidmann, Walter Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Observatorio Astronomico de Cordoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Zoccali, Manuela. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chil