26 research outputs found
Modeling Emission from the First Explosions: Pitfalls and Problems
Observations of the explosions of Population III (Pop III) stars have the
potential to teach us much about the formation and evolution of these
zero-metallicity objects. To realize this potential, we must tie observed
emission to an explosion model, which requires accurate light curve and spectra
calculations. Here, we discuss many of the pitfalls and problems involved in
such models, presenting some preliminary results from radiation-hydrodynamics
simulations.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, proceedings of 'The First Stars and Galaxies:
Challenges for the Next Decade", Austin, TX, March 8-11, 201
Bolometric and UV Light Curves of Core-Collapse Supernovae
The Swift UV-Optical Telescope (UVOT) has been observing Core-Collapse
Supernovae (CCSNe) of all subtypes in the UV and optical since 2005. We present
here 50 CCSNe observed with the Swift UVOT, analyzing their UV properties and
behavior. Where we have multiple UV detections in all three UV filters (\lambda
c = 1928 - 2600 \AA), we generate early time bolometric light curves, analyze
the properties of these light curves, the UV contribution to them, and derive
empirical corrections for the UV-flux contribution to optical-IR based
bolometric light curves
Eight new MSPs in NGC 6440 and NGC 6441
We report the discovery of five new millisecond pulsars in the globular
cluster NGC 6440 and three new ones in NGC 6441; each cluster has one
previously known pulsar. Four of the new pulsars are found in binary systems.
One of the new pulsars, PSR J1748-2021B in NGC 6440, is notable for its
eccentric (e = 0.57) and wide (P_b = 20.5 days) orbit. If the rate of advance
of periastron is due solely to general relativity, we can estimate of the total
mass of this binary system: 2.92 +/- 0.20 solar masses. This would imply an
anomalously large mass for this pulsar, which could introduce important
constraints in the study of the equation of state for cold neutron matter.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures. To appear in the proceedings of "40 Years of
Pulsars: Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars, and More", August 12-17, 2007,
McGill University, Montreal, Canad
Spectra and Light Curves of Failed Supernovae
Astronomers have proposed a number of mechanisms to produce supernova
explosions. Although many of these mechanisms are now not considered primary
engines behind supernovae, they do produce transients that will be observed by
upcoming ground-based surveys and NASA satellites. Here we present the first
radiation-hydrodynamics calculations of the spectra and light curves from three
of these "failed" supernovae: supernovae with considerable fallback, accretion
induced collapse of white dwarfs, and energetic helium flashes (also known as
type .Ia supernovae).Comment: 33 pages, 14 figure
The Los Alamos Supernova Light Curve Project: Computational Methods
We have entered the era of explosive transient astronomy, in which upcoming
real-time surveys like the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), the Palomar
Transient Factory (PTF) and Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response
System (Pan-STARRS) will detect supernovae in unprecedented numbers. Future
telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope may discover supernovae from
the earliest stars in the universe and reveal their masses. The observational
signatures of these astrophysical transients are the key to unveiling their
central engines, the environments in which they occur, and to what precision
they will pinpoint cosmic acceleration and the nature of dark energy. We
present a new method for modeling supernova light curves and spectra with the
radiation hydrodynamics code RAGE coupled with detailed monochromatic opacities
in the SPECTRUM code. We include a suite of tests that demonstrate how the
improved physics is indispensable to modeling shock breakout and light curves.Comment: 18 pages, 19 figures, published in ApJ Supplement