629 research outputs found
A Robust Determination of the size of quasar accretion disks using gravitational microlensing
Using microlensing measurements from a sample of 27 image-pairs of 19 lensed
quasars we determine a maximum likelihood estimate for the accretion disk size
of an {{\em}average} quasar of light days at rest
frame \AA\ for microlenses with a mean mass of
. This value, in good agreement with previous results from
smaller samples, is roughly a factor of 5 greater than the predictions of the
standard thin disk model. The individual size estimates for the 19 quasars in
our sample are also in excellent agreement with the results of the joint
maximum likelihood analysis.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Ap
A GPU-Enabled, High-Resolution Cosmological Microlensing Parameter Survey
In the era of synoptic surveys, the number of known gravitationally lensed
quasars is set to increase by over an order of magnitude. These new discoveries
will enable a move from single-quasar studies to investigations of statistical
samples, presenting new opportunities to test theoretical models for the
structure of quasar accretion discs and broad emission line regions (BELRs). As
one crucial step in preparing for this influx of new lensed systems, a
large-scale exploration of microlensing convergence-shear parameter space is
warranted, requiring the computation of O(10^5) high resolution magnification
maps. Based on properties of known lensed quasars, and expectations from
accretion disc/BELR modelling, we identify regions of convergence-shear
parameter space, map sizes, smooth matter fractions, and pixel resolutions that
should be covered. We describe how the computationally time-consuming task of
producing ~290000 magnification maps with sufficient resolution (10000^2
pixel/map) to probe scales from the inner edge of the accretion disc to the
BELR can be achieved in ~400 days on a 100 teraflop/s high performance
computing facility, where the processing performance is achieved with graphics
processing units. We illustrate a use-case for the parameter survey by
investigating the effects of varying the lens macro-model on accretion disc
constraints in the lensed quasar Q2237+0305. We find that although all
constraints are consistent within their current error bars, models with more
densely packed microlenses tend to predict shallower accretion disc radial
temperature profiles. With a large parameter survey such as the one described
here, such systematics on microlensing measurements could be fully explored.Comment: 30 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
The influence of microlensing on the shape of the AGN Fe K-alpha line
We study the influence of gravitational microlensing on the AGN Fe K-alpha
line confirming that unexpected enhancements recently detected in the iron line
of some AGNs can be produced by this effect. We use a ray tracing method to
study the influence of microlensing in the emission coming from a compact
accretion disc considering both geometries, Schwarzschild and Kerr.
Thanks to the small dimensions of the region producing the AGN Fe K-alpha
line, the Einstein Ring Radii associated to even very small compact objects
have size comparable to the accretion disc hence producing noticeable changes
in the line profiles. Asymmetrical enhancements contributing differently to the
peaks or to the core of the line are produced by a microlens, off-centered with
respect to the accretion disc.
In the standard configuration of microlensing by a compact object in an
intervening galaxy, we found that the effects on the iron line are two orders
of magnitude larger than those expected in the optical or UV emission lines. In
particular, microlensing can satisfactorily explain the excess in the iron line
emission found very recently in two gravitational lens systems, H 1413+117 and
MG J0414+0534.
Exploring other physical {scenario} for microlensing, we found that compact
objects (of the order of one Solar mass) which belong to {the bulge or the
halo} of the host galaxy can also produce significant changes in the Fe
K line profile of an AGN. However, the optical depth estimated for
this type of microlensing is {very small, , even in a favorable
case.Comment: Astron. Astrophys. accepte
A detailed two-dimensional stellar population study of M32
We present Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy of the 9x12 arcsec^2 central region
of M32 obtained with the 2D_FIS fibre spectrograph installed at the William
Herschel Telescope. From these spectra line strength maps have been
reconstructed for about 20 absorption lines, mostly belonging to the Lick
system. We find good agreement with long-slit line strength profiles in the
literature. In contrast with previous studies, indices were azimuthally
averaged along continuum isophotes of M32. A remarkable result is that no
gradients are presented in the spectral indices. So, we have fitted the mean
values of each spectral index and central colours to the models of Vazdekis et
al. (1996) and Worthey (1994), finding that an intermediate age (~4 Gyr) and
metallicity similar to solar (Z=0.02) are the best fitted values for the
innermost region of M32.Comment: accepted in MNRA
Contribución de los sitios web de la industria cinematográfica española a la percepción del Cine Español
A partir de la contribución que realizan las páginas web relacionadas con el sector cinematográfico en España a la imagen que proyectan, se trata de valorar si existe una buena utilización de estos recursos online para mejorar la percepción del cine que se produce en el estado español, a través del análisis cualitativo de los sitios web más relevantes, que hiciera más completos los resultados obtenidos al aplicarse a la totalidad de sitios web seleccionados. Concluimos que existe poco o casi nulo interés por cuidar una imagen que pudiera hacer crecer el interés del público por la industria cinematográfica española
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