601 research outputs found
The Progenitor of SN 2005cs in the Whirlpool Galaxy
The progenitor of SN 2005cs, in the galaxy M51, is identified in
pre-explosion HST ACS WFC imaging. Differential astrometry, with post-explosion
ACS HRC F555W images, permitted the identification of the progenitor with an
accuracy of 0.006". The progenitor was detected in the F814W pre-explosion
image with I=23.3+/-0.2, but was below the detection thresholds of the F435W
and F555W images, with B<24.8 and V<25 at 5-sigma. Limits were also placed on
the U and R band fluxes of the progenitor from pre-explosion HST WFPC2 F336W
and F675W images. Deep images in the infra-red from NIRI on the Gemini-North
telescope were taken 2 months prior to explosion, but the progenitor is not
clearly detected on these. The upper limits for the JHK magnitudes of the
progenitor were J<21.9,H<21.1 and K<20.7. Despite having a detection in only
one band, a restrictive spectral energy distribution of the progenitor star can
be constructed and a robust case is made that the progenitor was a red
supergiant with spectral type between mid-K to late-M. The spectral energy
distribution allows a region in the theoretical HR diagram to be determined
which must contain the progenitor star. The initial mass of the star is
constrained to be M(ZAMS)=9+3/-2 M_solar, which is very similar to the
identified progenitor of the type II-P SN 2003gd, and also consistent with
upper mass limits placed on five other similar SNe. The upper limit in the deep
K-band image is significant in that it allows us to rule out the possibility
that the progenitor was a significantly higher mass object enshrouded in a dust
cocoon before core-collapse. This is further evidence that the trend for type
II-P SNe to arise in low to moderate mass red supergiants is real.Comment: Accepted (31/08/05) for publication in MNRAS Letter
Unravelling the chemical inhomogeneity of PNe with VLT FLAMES integral-field unit spectroscopy
Recent weak emission-line long-slit surveys and modelling studies of PNe have
convincingly argued in favour of the existence of an unknown component in the
planetary nebula plasma consisting of cold, hydrogen-deficient gas, as an
explanation for the long-standing recombination-line versus forbidden-line
temperature and abundance discrepancy problems. Here we describe the rationale
and initial results from a detailed spectroscopic study of three Galactic PNe
undertaken with the VLT FLAMES integral-field unit spectrograph, which advances
our knowledge about the small-scale physical properties, chemical abundances
and velocity structure of these objects across a two-dimensional field of view,
and opens up for exploration an uncharted territory in the study and modelling
of PNe and photoionized nebulae in general.Comment: 4 pages; 3 figures; invited paper to appear in proceedings of IAU
Symp. No. 234, 2006, Planetary Nebulae in our Galaxy and Beyond (held in
Hawaii, April 2006
High Resolution mid-Infrared Imaging of SN 1987A
Using the Thermal-Region Camera and Spectrograph (T-ReCS) attached to the
Gemini South 8m telescope, we have detected and resolved 10 micron emission at
the position of the inner equatorial ring (ER) of supernova SN 1987A at day
6067. ``Hot spots'' similar to those found in the optical and near-IR are
clearly present. The morphology of the 10 micron emission is globally similar
to the morphology at other wavelengths from X-rays to radio. The observed
mid-IR flux in the region of SN1987A is probably dominated by emission from
dust in the ER. We have also detected the ER at 20 micron at a 4 sigma level.
Assuming that thermal dust radiation is the origin of the mid-IR emission, we
derive a dust temperature of 180^{+20}_{-10} K, and a dust mass of 1.- 8.
10^{-5} Mo for the ER. Our observations also show a weak detection of the
central ejecta at 10 micron. We show that previous bolometric flux estimates
(through day 2100) were not significantly contaminated by this newly discovered
emission from the ER. If we assume that the energy input comes from radioactive
decays only, our measurements together with the current theoretical models set
a temperature of 90 leq T leq 100 K and a mass range of 10^{-4} - 2. 10^{-3} Mo
for the dust in the ejecta. With such dust temperatures the estimated thermal
emission is 9(+/-3) 10^{35} erg s^{-1} from the inner ring, and 1.5 (+/-0.5)
10^{36} erg s^{-1} from the ejecta. Finally, using SN 1987A as a template, we
discuss the possible role of supernovae as major sources of dust in the
Universe.Comment: aastex502, 14 pages, 4 figures; Accepted for publication in ApJ
Content changed: new observations, Referee's comments and suggestion
The Peculiar Type Ic Supernova 1997ef: Another Hypernova
SN 1997ef has been recognized as a peculiar supernova from its light curve
and spectral properties. The object was classified as a Type Ic supernova (SN
Ic) because its spectra are dominated by broad absorption lines of oxygen and
iron, lacking any clear signs of hydrogen or helium line features. The light
curve is very different from that of previously known SNe Ic, showing a very
broad peak and a slow tail. The strikingly broad line features in the spectra
of SN 1997ef, which were also seen in the hypernova SN 1998bw, suggest the
interesting possibility that SN 1997ef may also be a hypernova. The light curve
and spectra of SN 1997ef were modeled first with a standard SN~Ic model
assuming an ordinary kinetic energy of explosion erg. The
explosion of a CO star of mass gives a
reasonably good fit to the light curve but clearly fails to reproduce the broad
spectral features. Then, models with larger masses and energies were explored.
Both the light curve and the spectra of SN 1997ef are much better reproduced by
a C+O star model with 8 \e{51} erg and .
Therefore, we conclude that SN 1997ef is very likely a hypernova on the basis
of its kinetic energy of explosion. Finally, implications for the deviation
from spherical symmetry are discussed in an effort to improve the light curve
and spectral fits.Comment: "To appear in the Astrophysical Journal, Vol.534 (2000)
The birth place of the type Ic Supernova 2007gr
We report our attempts to locate the progenitor of the peculiar type Ic SN
2007gr in HST pre-explosion images of the host galaxy, NGC 1058. Aligning
adaptive optics Altair/NIRI imaging of SN 2007gr from the Gemini (North)
Telescope with the pre-explosion HST WFPC2 images, we identify the SN position
on the HST frames with an accuracy of 20 mas. Although nothing is detected at
the SN position we show that it lies on the edge of a bright source, 134+/-23
mas (6.9 pc) from its nominal centre. Based on its luminosity we suggest that
this object is possibly an unresolved, compact and coeval cluster and that the
SN progenitor was a cluster member, although we note that model profile fitting
favours a single bright star. We find two solutions for the age of this assumed
cluster; 7-/+0.5 Myrs and 20-30 Myrs, with turn-off masses of 28+/-4 Msun and
12-9 Msun respectively. Pre-explosion ground-based K-band images marginally
favour the younger cluster age/higher turn-off mass. Assuming the SN progenitor
was a cluster member, the turn-off mass provides the best estimate for its
initial mass. More detailed observations, after the SN has faded, should
determine if the progenitor was indeed part of a cluster, and if so allow an
age estimate to within ~2 Myrs thereby favouring either a high mass single star
or lower mass interacting binary progenitor.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, resolution of fig 1. has been reduced, some
revision based on referee's comments, Accepted ApJL 27 Nov 200
HST Observations of the Optical Jets of PKS 0521-365, 3C371, and PKS 2201+044
HST observations have led to the discovery of the optical counterpart of the
radio jet of PKS 2201+044, and to a detailed analysis of the optical jets of
PKS 0521-365 and 3C371. At HST spatial resolution these jets are well resolved,
displaying knotty morphologies. When compared with radio maps of appropriate
resolution, a clear one-to-one correspondence between optical and radio
structures is found, showing that all detected optical structures are indeed
related to the radio synchrotron emission. Photometry of the brightest knots
shows that the radio-to-optical spectral index and the derived intensity of the
equipartition magnetic field are approximately constant along the jet. Thus,
present observations suggest that the electron energy distribution does not
change significantly all along the jet.Comment: Accepted for publications on the Astrphysical Journal. Contains 14
pages and 5 figure
PKS2250-41: a case study for triggering
We present the results of a multiwavelength study of the z = 0.31 radio
source PKS2250-41. Integral field unit and long-slit spectroscopy obtained
using VIMOS and FORS1 on the VLT, and archival HST optical imaging observations
are used to study the morphology, kinematics and ionisation state of the
extended emission line region (EELR) surrounding this source, and also a
companion galaxy at a similar redshift. Near-infrared imaging observations
obtained using the NTT are used to analyse the underlying galaxy morphologies.
The EELR displays a complex variety of different gas kinematics and ionization
states, consistent with a mixture of radio source shocks and AGN
photoionization. The radio galaxy is likely to lie within a group environment,
and is plausibly undergoing interactions with one or more other objects. The
disk-like galaxy to the northeast of the radio source lies at a similar
redshift to the radio galaxy itself, and has its major axis position angle
aligned with the filamentary continuum and line emission extending outwards
from the radio galaxy. This filamentary structure is most plausibly interpreted
as a tidal structure associated with an interaction involving the radio source
host galaxy and the aligned companion galaxy to the north-east; this encounter
may have potentially triggered the current epoch of radio source activity.
Overall, PKS2250-41 displays some of the best evidence that radio source
activity can be triggered in this manner. [abridged]Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures (some colour). Accepted for publication in
MNRAS. Abstract abridge
Dynamics and Excitation of Radio Galaxy Emission-Line Regions - I. PKS 2356-61
Results are presented from a programme of detailed longslit spectroscopic
observations of the extended emission-line region (EELR) associated with the
powerful radio galaxy PKS 2356-61. The observations have been used to construct
spectroscopic datacubes, which yield detailed information on the spatial
variations of emission-line ratios across the EELR, together with its kinematic
structure. We present an extensive comparison between the data and results
obtained from the MAPPINGS II shock ionization code, and show that the physical
properties of the line-emitting gas, including its ionization, excitation,
dynamics and overall energy budget, are entirely consistent with a scenario
involving auto-ionizing shocks as the dominant ionization mechanism. This has
the advantage of accounting for the observed EELR properties by means of a
single physical process, thereby requiring less free parameters than the
alternative scheme involving photoionization by radiation from the active
nucleus. Finally, possible mechanisms of shock formation are considered in the
context of the dynamics and origin of the gas, specifically scenarios involving
infall or accretion of gas during an interaction between the host radio galaxy
and a companion galaxy.Comment: 35 pages, LaTeX, uses aas2pp4.sty file, includes 9 PostScript
figures. Two additional colour plates are available from the authors upon
request. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Radio-Luminous Southern Seyfert Galaxies. I. Radio Images and Selected Optical/Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
This is the first of two papers in which a study is made of a sample of 12
southern radio-luminous Seyfert galaxies. Our aim is to investigate possible
correlations between radio morphology and nuclear/circumnuclear emission-line
properties. In this paper we present radio images at 13, 6, and 3 cm taken with
the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), global far-infrared (FIR)
properties for the whole sample, and optical and near-infrared (NIR)
spectroscopy of an interesting subset. We find a mixture of radio morphologies,
including linear, diffuse and compact sources. When the FIR colors of the
galaxies are considered there is an indication that the compact radio sources
have warmer FIR colors than the diffuse sources, whereas the linear sources
span a wide range of FIR colors. There is a wide variation in radio
spectral-indices, suggesting that free-free absorption is significant in some
systems, particularly IRAS 11249-2859, NGC 4507, and NGC 7213. Detailed
emission-line studies are presented of 4 galaxies IC 3639, NGC 5135, NGC 3393 &
IRAS 11249-2859. In IC 3639 we present evidence of vigorous, compact star
formation enclosed by very extended [OI]6300 emission, suggestive of the
boundary between a diffuse outflow and the surrounding ISM. In another galaxy,
IC 5063, we see evidence for the possible interaction of a highly collimated
outflow and the surrounding rotating inner disk. Of the 5 galaxies which show
compact radio emission, 4 have radio/FIR flux ratios consistent with an
energetically dominant AGN, whereas IC 4995 exhibits evidence for a very
compact starburst.Comment: 42 pages, including 7 tables, latex, 19 jpeg figures, Accepted to
ApJ. Replacement updates coordintes of galaxies in Table
Performance of an Embankment Built on a Soft Disturbed Clay
A high embankment was built on a soft clay disturbed due to an inadequate technique. Settlement analysis has been carried out to estimate coefficients of consolidation Cv, final settlements and average degrees of consolidation U. Laboratory and in situ tests have been performed to estimate C values as well. Piezometric measurements have also been made to estimate U values corrected with non linear oedometer test data. Times for settlement stabilization have been estimated with the available data
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