1,783 research outputs found
Modeling non-thermal emission from stellar bow shocks
Runaway O- and early B-type stars passing throughout the interstellar medium
at supersonic velocities and characterized by strong stellar winds may produce
bow shocks that can serve as particle acceleration sites. Previous theoretical
models predict the production of high energy photons by non-thermal radiative
processes, but their efficiency is still debated. We aim to test and explain
the possibility of emission from the bow shocks formed by runaway stars
traveling through the interstellar medium by using previous theoretical models.
We apply our model to AE Aurigae, the first reported star with an X-ray
detected bow shock, to BD+43 3654, in which the observations failed in
detecting high energy emission, and to the transition phase of a supergiant
star in the late stages of its life.From our analysis, we confirm that the
X-ray emission from the bow shock produced by AE Aurigae can be explained by
inverse Compton processes involving the infrared photons of the heated dust. We
also predict low high energy flux emission from the bow shock produced by BD+43
3654, and the possibility of high energy emission from the bow shock formed by
a supergiant star during the transition phase from blue to red supergiant.Bow
shock formed by different type of runaway stars are revealed as a new possible
source of high energy photons in our neighbourhood
Inferring correlations associated to causal interactions in brain signals using autoregressive models
The specific connectivity of a neuronal network is reflected in the dynamics
of the signals recorded on its nodes. The analysis of how the activity in one
node predicts the behaviour of another gives the directionality in their
relationship. However, each node is composed of many different elements which
define the properties of the links. For instance, excitatory and inhibitory
neuronal subtypes determine the functionality of the connection. Classic
indexes such as the Granger causality (GC) quantifies these interactions, but
they do not infer into the mechanism behind them. Here, we introduce an
extension of the well-known GC that analyses the correlation associated to the
specific influence that a transmitter node has over the receiver. This way, the
G-causal link has a positive or negative effect if the predicted activity
follows directly or inversely, respectively, the dynamics of the sender. The
method is validated in a neuronal population model, testing the paradigm that
excitatory and inhibitory neurons have a differential effect in the
connectivity. Our approach correctly infers the positive or negative coupling
produced by different types of neurons. Our results suggest that the proposed
approach provides additional information on the characterization of G-causal
connections, which is potentially relevant when it comes to understanding
interactions in the brain circuits
Temporal and spatial variations of the absolute reflectivity of Jupiter and Saturn from 0.38 to 1.7 m with PlanetCam-UPV/EHU
We provide measurements of the absolute reflectivity of Jupiter and Saturn
along their central meridians in filters covering a wide range of visible and
near-infrared wavelengths (from 0.38 to 1.7 m) that are not often
presented in the literature. We also give measurements of the geometric albedo
of both planets and discuss the limb-darkening behavior and temporal
variability of their reflectivity values for a period of four years
(2012-2016). This work is based on observations with the PlanetCam-UPV/EHU
instrument at the 1.23 m and 2.2 m telescopes in Calar Alto Observatory
(Spain). The instrument simultaneously observes in two channels: visible (VIS;
0.38-1.0 m) and short-wave infrared (SWIR; 1.0--1.7 m). We obtained
high-resolution observations via the lucky-imaging method. We show that our
calibration is consistent with previous independent determinations of
reflectivity values of these planets and, for future reference, provide new
data extended in the wavelength range and in the time. Our results have an
uncertainty in absolute calibration of 10--20\%. We show that under the
hypothesis of constant geometric albedo, we are able to detect absolute
reflectivity changes related to planetary temporal evolution of about 5-10\%.Comment: 13 pages, 18 figures, (in press
Deep XMM-Newton observation of the Eta Chamaleontis cluster
The members of the Eta Chamaleontis cluster are in an evolutionary stage in
which disks are rapidly evolving. It also presents some peculiarities, such as
the large fraction of binaries and accretion disks, probably related with the
cluster formation process. Its proximity makes this stellar group an ideal
target for studying the relation between X-ray emission and those stellar
parameters. The main objective of this work is to determine general X-ray
properties of the cluster members in terms of coronal temperature, column
density, emission measure, X-ray luminosity and variability. We also aim to
establish the relation between the X-ray luminosity of these stars and other
stellar parameters, such as binarity and presence of accretion disks. A study
of flare energies for each flare event and their relation with some stellar
parameters is also performed. We used proprietary data from a deep XMM-Newton
observation pointed at the core of the Eta Chamaleontis cluster. Specific
software for the reduction of XMM-Newton data was used for the analysis of our
observation. For the detection of sources, we used the wavelet-based code
PWDetect. General coronal properties were derived from plasma model fitting. We
also determined variability of the Eta Chamaleontis members in the EPIC
field-of-view. A total of six flare-like events were clearly detected in five
different stars. For them, we derived coronal properties during the flare
events and pseudo-quiescent state separately. In our observations, stars that
underwent a flare event have higher X-ray luminosities in the pseudo-quiescent
state than cluster members with similar spectral type with no indications of
flaring, independently whether they have an accretion disk or not. Observed
flare energies are typical of both pre-main and main-sequence M stars. We
detected no difference between flare energies of stars with and without an
accretion disk.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. 12 pages, 30
individual figure
X-ray flares on the UV Ceti-type star CC Eridani: a "peculiar" time-evolution of spectral parameters
Context: Weak flares are supposed to be an important heating agent of the
outer layers of stellar atmospheres. However, due to instrumental limitations,
only large X-ray flares have been studied in detail until now.
Aims: We used an XMM-Newton observation of the very active BY-Dra type binary
star CC Eri in order to investigate the properties of two flares that are
weaker than those typically studied in the literature.
Methods: We performed time-resolved spectroscopy of the data taken with the
EPIC-PN CCD camera. A multi-temperature model was used to fit the spectra. We
inferred the size of the flaring loops using the density-temperature diagram.
The loop scaling laws were applied for deriving physical parameters of the
flaring plasma. We also estimated the number of loops involved in the observed
flares.
Results: A large X-ray variability was found. Spectral analysis showed that
all the regions in the light curve, including the flare segments, are
well-described by a 3-T model with variable emission measures but,
surprisingly, with constant temperatures (values of 3, 10 and 22 MK). The
analysed flares lasted ~ 3.4 and 7.1 ks, with flux increases of factors
1.5-1.9. They occurred in arcades made of a few tens of similar coronal loops.
The size of the flaring loops is much smaller than the distance between the
stellar surfaces in the binary system, and even smaller than the radius of each
of the stars. The obtained results are consistent with the following ideas: (i)
the whole X-ray light curve of CC Eri could be the result of a superposition of
multiple low-energy flares, and (ii) stellar flares can be scaled-up versions
of solar flares.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of G272.2-3.2. Evidence of stellar ejecta in the central region
We aim to study the spatial distribution of the physical and chemical
properties of the X-ray emitting plasma of the supernova remnant G272.2-3.2, in
order to get important constraints on its ionization stage, on the progenitor
supernova explosion, and the age of the remnant. We report combined XMM-Newton
and Chandra images, median photon energy map, silicon and sulfur equivalent
width maps, and a spatially resolved spectral analysis for a set of regions of
the remnant. Complementary radio and H{\alpha} observations, available in the
literature, are also used to study the multi-wavelength connection of all
detected emissions. The X-ray morphology of the remnant displays an overall
structure with an almost circular appearance, a centrally brightened hard
region, with a peculiar elongated hard structure oriented along the
northwest-southeast direction of the central part. The X-ray spectral study of
the regions shows distinct K{\alpha} emission-line features of metal elements,
confirming the thermal origin of the emission. The X-ray spectra are well
represented by an absorbed VNEI thermal plasma model, which produces elevated
abundances of Si, S, and Fe in the circular central region, typical of ejecta
material. The values of abundances found in the central region of the SNR favor
a Type Ia progenitor for this remnant. The outer region shows abundances below
the solar value, as expected if the emission arises from the shocked ISM. The
relatively low ionization timescales suggests non-equilibrium ionization. We
identify the location of the contact discontinuity. Its distance to the outer
shock is higher than expected for expansion in a uniform media, what suggests
that the remnant spent most of its time in a more dense medium.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in A&
Contribution of exclusive channels to the leading order HVP of the muon
We evaluate the contributions of
exclusive channels to the dispersion integral of the leading order HVP of the
muon anomalous magnetic moment. These channels are included in some way in
previous evaluations of the and
contributions to , where the vector resonances (decaying
into ) are assumed to be on-shell. Since the separation of
resonance and background contributions in a given observable is, in general, a
model-dependent procedure, here we use pseudoscalar mesons and the photon as
the and states of the -matrix, such that the cross section contains the
interferences among different contributing to the amplitudes. We find , where
uncertainties stem mainly from vector meson dominance model parameters.
Improved experimental studies of these exclusive channels in the whole range
below 2 GeV would reduce model-dependency
Formation of X-ray emitting stationary shocks in magnetized protostellar jets
X-ray observations of protostellar jets show evidence of strong shocks
heating the plasma up to temperatures of a few million degrees. In some cases,
the shocked features appear to be stationary. They are interpreted as shock
diamonds. We aim at investigating the physics that guides the formation of
X-ray emitting stationary shocks in protostellar jets, the role of the magnetic
field in determining the location, stability, and detectability in X-rays of
these shocks, and the physical properties of the shocked plasma. We performed a
set of 2.5-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulations modelling
supersonic jets ramming into a magnetized medium and explored different
configurations of the magnetic field. The model takes into account the most
relevant physical effects, namely thermal conduction and radiative losses. We
compared the model results with observations, via the emission measure and the
X-ray luminosity synthesized from the simulations. Our model explains the
formation of X-ray emitting stationary shocks in a natural way. The magnetic
field collimates the plasma at the base of the jet and forms there a magnetic
nozzle. After an initial transient, the nozzle leads to the formation of a
shock diamond at its exit which is stationary over the time covered by the
simulations (~ 40 - 60 yr; comparable with time scales of the observations).
The shock generates a point-like X-ray source located close to the base of the
jet with luminosity comparable with that inferred from X-ray observations of
protostellar jets. For the range of parameters explored, the evolution of the
post-shock plasma is dominated by the radiative cooling, whereas the thermal
conduction slightly affects the structure of the shock.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic
Quantifying the contamination by old main-sequence stars in young moving groups: the case of the Local Association
The associations and moving groups of young stars are excellent laboratories
for investigating stellar formation in the solar neighborhood. Previous results
have confirmed that a non-negligible fraction of old main-sequence stars is
present in the lists of possible members of young stellar kinematic groups. A
detailed study of the properties of these samples is needed to separate the
young stars from old main-sequence stars with similar space motion, and
identify the origin of these structures. We used stars possible members of the
young (~ 10 - 650 Myr) moving groups from the literature. To determine the age
of the stars, we used several suitable age indicators for young main sequence
stars, i.e., X-ray fluxes and other photometric data. We also used
spectroscopic data, in particular the equivalent width of the lithium line Li I
and Halpha, to constrain the range of ages of the stars. By combining
photometric and spectroscopic data, we were able to separate the young stars
(10 - 650 Myr) from the old (> 1 Gyr) field ones. We found, in particular, that
the Local Association is contaminated by old field stars at the level of ~30%.
This value must be considered as the contamination for our particular sample,
and not of the entire Local Association. For other young moving groups, it is
more difficult to estimate the fraction of old stars among possible members.
However, the level of X-ray emission can, at least, help to separate two age
populations: stars with <200 Myr and stars older than this. Our results are
consistent with a scenario in which the moving groups contain both groups of
young stars formed in a recent star-formation episode and old field stars with
similar space motion. Only by combining X-ray and optical spectroscopic data is
it possible to distinguish between these two age populations.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in A&
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