6,724 research outputs found
A reanalysis of the Gaia Data Release 2 photometric sensitivity curves using HST/STIS spectrophotometry
CONTEXT: The second Gaia data release (DR2) took place on April 2018. DR2
included photometry for more than 1.3 10^9 sources in G, BP, and RP. Even
though Gaia DR2 photometry is very precise, there are currently three
alternative definitions of the sensitivity curves that show significative
differences. AIMS: The aim of this paper is to improve the quality of the input
calibration data to produce new compatible definitions of the three bands and
to identify the reasons for the discrepancies between previous definitions.
METHODS: We have searched the HST archive for STIS spectra with G430L+G750L
data obtained with wide apertures and combined them with the CALSPEC library to
produce a high quality SED library of 122 stars with a broad range of colors,
including three very red stars. We have used it to compute new sensitivity
curves for G, BP, and RP using a functional analytical formalism. RESULTS: The
new curves are significantly better than the two previous attempts, REV and
WEI. For G we confirm the existence of a systematic bias in magnitude and
correct a color term present in REV. For BP we confirm the need to define two
magnitude ranges with different sensitivity curves and measure the cut between
them at G = 10.87 with a significant increase in precision. The new curves also
fit the data better than either REV or WEI. For RP we obtain a sensitivity
curve that better fits the STIS spectra and we find that the differences with
previous attempts reside in a systematic effect between ground-based and HST
spectral libraries. Additional evidence from color-color diagrams indicate that
the new sensitivity curve is more accurate. Nevertheless, there is still room
for improvement in the accuracy of the sensitivity curves because of the
current dearth of good-quality red calibrators: adding more to the sample
should be a priority before Gaia data release 3 takes place.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, revised version with minor change
Physical activity education in the undergraduate curricula of all UK medical schools: are tomorrow's doctors equipped to follow clinical guidelines?
Physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of disease prevention and treatment. There is, however, a considerable disparity between public health policy, clinical guidelines and the delivery of physical activity promotion within the National Health Service in the UK. If this is to be addressed in the battle against non-communicable diseases, it is vital that tomorrow's doctors understand the basic science and health benefits of physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess the provision of physical activity teaching content in the curricula of all medical schools in the UK. Our results, with responses from all UK medical schools, uncovered some alarming findings, showing that there is widespread omission of basic teaching elements, such as the Chief Medical Officer recommendations and guidance on physical activity. There is an urgent need for physical activity teaching to have dedicated time at medical schools, to equip tomorrow's doctors with the basic knowledge, confidence and skills to promote physical activity and follow numerous clinical guidelines that support physical activity promotion
Recent Type II Radio Supernovae
We present the results of radio observations, taken primarily with the Very
Large Array, of Supernovae 1993J, 2001gd, 2001em, 2002hh, 2004dj, and 2004et.
We have fit a parameterized model to the multi-frequency observations of each
supernova. We compare the observed and derived radio properties of these
supernovae by optical classification and discuss the implications.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 table Conference Proceedings: "Supernova 1987A:
20 Years After: Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursters" AIP, New York, eds. S.
Immler, K.W. Weiler, and R. McCra
Pulsar "Drifting"-Subpulse Polarization: No Evidence for Systematic Polarization-Angle Rotations
Polarization-angle density displays are given for pulsars B0809+74 and
B2303+30, which exhibit no evidence of the systematic polarization-angle
rotation within individual subpulses previously reported for these two stars.
The ``drifting'' subpulses of both pulsars exhibit strikingly linear and
circular polarization which appears to reflect the characteristics of two
nearly orthogonally polarized emission ``modes''--along which the severe
average-profile depolarization that is characteristic of their admixture at
comparable overall intensities.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic
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