292 research outputs found
Weighing the galactic disc using the Jeans equation: lessons from simulations
Using three-dimensional stellar kinematic data from simulated galaxies, we examine the efficacy of a Jeans equation analysis in reconstructing the total disk surface density, including the dark matter, at the âSolarâ radius. Our simulation data set includes galaxies formed in a cosmological context using state-of-the-art high-resolution cosmological zoom simulations, and other idealized models. The cosmologically formed galaxies have been demonstrated to lie on many of the observed scaling relations for late-type spirals, and thus offer an interesting surrogate for real galaxies with the obvious advantage that all the kinematical data are known perfectly. We show that the vertical velocity dispersion is typically the dominant kinematic quantity in the analysis, and that the traditional method of using only the vertical force is reasonably effective at low heights above the disk plane. At higher heights the inclusion of the radial force becomes increasingly important. We also show that the method is sensitive to uncertainties in the measured disk parameters, particularly the scalelengths of the assumed double exponential density distribution, and the scalelength of the radial velocity dispersion. In addition, we show that disk structure and low number statistics can lead to significant errors in the calculated surface densities. Finally, we examine the implications of our results for previous studies of this sort, suggesting that more accurate measurements of the scalelengths may help reconcile conflicting estimates of the local dark matter density in the literature
The properties of the local spiral arms from RAVE data: two-dimensional density wave approach
Using the RAVE survey, we recently brought to light a gradient in the mean
galactocentric radial velocity of stars in the extended solar neighbourhood.
This gradient likely originates from non-axisymmetric perturbations of the
potential, among which a perturbation by spiral arms is a possible explanation.
Here, we apply the traditional density wave theory and analytically model the
radial component of the two-dimensional velocity field. Provided that the
radial velocity gradient is caused by relatively long-lived spiral arms that
can affect stars substantially above the plane, this analytic model provides
new independent estimates for the parameters of the Milky Way spiral structure.
Our analysis favours a two-armed perturbation with the Sun close to the inner
ultra-harmonic 4:1 resonance, with a pattern speed \Omega_p=18.6^{+0.3}_{-0.2}
km/s/kpc and a small amplitude A=0.55 \pm 0.02% of the background potential
(14% of the background density). This model can serve as a basis for numerical
simulations in three dimensions, additionally including a possible influence of
the galactic bar and/or other non-axisymmetric modes.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Light Curves of the Neutron Star Merger GW170817/SSS17a: Implications for R-Process Nucleosynthesis
On 2017 August 17, gravitational waves were detected from a binary neutron
star merger, GW170817, along with a coincident short gamma-ray burst,
GRB170817A. An optical transient source, Swope Supernova Survey 17a (SSS17a),
was subsequently identified as the counterpart of this event. We present
ultraviolet, optical and infrared light curves of SSS17a extending from 10.9
hours to 18 days post-merger. We constrain the radioactively-powered transient
resulting from the ejection of neutron-rich material. The fast rise of the
light curves, subsequent decay, and rapid color evolution are consistent with
multiple ejecta components of differing lanthanide abundance. The late-time
light curve indicates that SSS17a produced at least ~0.05 solar masses of heavy
elements, demonstrating that neutron star mergers play a role in r-process
nucleosynthesis in the Universe.Comment: Accepted to Scienc
Thick disk kinematics from RAVE and the solar motion
Radial velocity surveys such as the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) provide
us with measurements of hundreds of thousands of nearby stars most of which
belong to the Galactic thin, thick disk or halo. Ideally, to study the Galactic
disks (both thin and thick) one should make use of the multi-dimensional
phase-space and the whole pattern of chemical abundances of their stellar
populations. In this paper, with the aid of the RAVE Survey, we study the thin
and thick disks of the Milky Way, focusing on the latter. We present a
technique to disentangle the stellar content of the two disks based on the
kinematics and other stellar parameters such as the surface gravity of the
stars. Using the Padova Galaxy Model, we checked the ability of our method to
correctly isolate the thick disk component from the Galaxy mixture of stellar
populations. We introduce selection criteria in order to clean the observed
radial velocities from the Galactic differential rotation and to take into
account the partial sky coverage of RAVE. We developed a numerical technique to
statistically disentangle thin and thick disks from their mixture. We deduce
the components of the solar motion relative to the Local Standard of Rest (LSR)
in the radial and vertical direction, the rotational lag of the thick disk
component relative to the LSR, and the square root of the absolute value of the
velocity dispersion tensor for the thick disk alone. The analysis of the thin
disk is presented in another paper. We find good agreement with previous
independent parameter determinations. In our analysis we used photometrically
determined distances. In the Appendix we show that similar values can be found
for the thick disk alone as derived in the main sections of our paper even
without the knowledge of photometric distances.Comment: accepted on A&A, please see companion paper "THIN disk kinem...
Simple and accurate modelling of the gravitational potential produced by thick and thin exponential discs
We present accurate models of the gravitational potential produced by a
radially exponential disk mass distribution. The models are produced by
combining three separate Miyamoto-Nagai disks. Such models have been used
previously to model the disk of the Milky Way, but here we extend this
framework to allow its application to disks of any mass, scalelength, and a
wide range of thickness from infinitely thin to near spherical (ellipticities
from 0 to 0.9). The models have the advantage of simplicity of implementation,
and we expect faster run speeds over a double exponential disk treatment. The
potentials are fully analytical, and differentiable at all points. The mass
distribution of our models deviates from the radial mass distribution of a pure
exponential disk by <0.4% out to 4 disk scalelengths, and <1.9% out to 10 disk
scalelengths. We tabulate fitting parameters which facilitate construction of
exponential disks for any scalelength, and a wide range of disk thickness (a
user-friendly, web-based interface is also available). Our recipe is well
suited for numerical modelling of the tidal effects of a giant disk galaxy on
star clusters or dwarf galaxies. We consider three worked examples; the Milky
Way thin and thick disk, and a disky dwarf galaxy.Comment: Accepted to MNRAS February 2nd 2015, 7 pages, 7 figure, 2 table
VVVX-Gaia Discovery of a Low Luminosity Globular Cluster in the Milky Way Disk
© 2020 ESOMilky Way globular clusters (MW GCs) are difficult to identify at low Galactic latitudes because of high differential extinction and heavy star crowding. The new deep near-IR images and photometry from the VISTA Variables in the Via L\'actea Extended Survey (VVVX) allow us to chart previously unexplored regions. Our long term aim is to complete the census of MW GCs. The immediate goals are to estimate the astrophysical parameters, measuring their reddenings, extinctions, distances, total luminosities, proper motions, sizes, metallicities and ages. We use the near-IR VVVX survey database, in combination with Gaia DR2 optical photometry, and with the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) photometry. We report the detection of a heretofore unknown Galactic Globular Cluster at RA = 14:09:00.0; DEC=-65:37:12 (J2000). We calculate a reddening of E(J-K_s)=(0.3 +/- 0.03) mag and an extinction of A_Ks=(0.15 +/- 0.01) mag for this new GC. Its distance modulus and corresponding distance were measured as (m-M)=(15.93 +/- 0.03) mag and D=(15.5 +/- 1.0) kpc, respectively. We estimate the metallicity and age by comparison with known GCs and by fitting PARSEC and Dartmouth isochrones, finding dex and t=(11.0 +/- 1.0) Gyr. The mean GC PMs from Gaia are mu_alpha^(star)=(-4.68 +/- 0.47) mas yr^(-1) and mu_delta=(-1.34 \pm 0.45) mas yr^(-1). The total luminosity of our cluster is estimated to be M_Ks=(-7.76 +/- 0.5) mag. We have found a new low-luminosity, old and metal-rich globular cluster, situated in the far side of the Galactic disk, at R_G=11.2 kpc from the Galactic centre, and at z=1.0 kpc below the plane. Interestingly, the location, metallicity and age of this globular cluster are coincident with the Monoceros Ring (MRi) structure.Peer reviewe
Clinical and biochemical characterization of high risk and not high risk for cardiovascular disease adults in a population from peripheral region of Bangladesh
Horizontal Branch Stars: The Interplay between Observations and Theory, and Insights into the Formation of the Galaxy
We review HB stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable
and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is
presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and
systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of
globular clusters (GCs) in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude,
with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may
have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky
Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC. A rediscussion of the
second-parameter problem is presented. A technique is proposed to estimate the
HB types of extragalactic GCs on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The
relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level
and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax
measurements for the star RR Lyrae, is also revisited, giving a distance
modulus to the LMC of (m-M)_0 = 18.44+/-0.11. RR Lyrae period change rates are
studied. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of
low-mass stars are investigated. [ABRIDGED]Comment: 56 pages, 22 figures. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and
Space Scienc
Origin of the Metallicity Distribution in the Thick Disc
Aims. Using a suite of cosmological chemodynamical disc galaxy simulations, we assess how (a) radial metallicity
gradients evolve with scaleheight; (b) the vertical metallicity gradients change through the thick disc; and (c) the
vertical gradient of the stellar rotation velocity varies through the disc. We compare with the Milky Way to search for
analogous trends. Methods. We analyse five simulated spiral galaxies with masses comparable to the Milky Way. The simulations span a range of star formation and energy feedback strengths and prescriptions, particle- and grid-based hydrodynamical implementations, as well as initial conditions/assembly history. Disc stars are identified initially via kinematic decomposition, with a posteriori spatial cuts providing the final sample from which radial and vertical gradients are inferred.
Results. Consistently, we find that the steeper, negative, radial metallicity gradients seen in the mid-plane flatten with
increasing height away from the plane. In simulations with stronger (and/or more spatially-extended) feedback, the
negative radial gradients invert, becoming positive for heights in excess of !1 kpc. Such behaviour is consistent with
that inferred from recent observations. Our measurements of the vertical metallicity gradients show no clear correlation
with galactocentric radius, and are in good agreement with those observed in the Milky Wayâs thick disc (locally).
Each of the simulations presents a decline in rotational velocity with increasing height from the mid-plane, albeit the
majority have shallower kinematic gradients than that of the Milky Way.
Conclusions. Simulations employing stronger/more extended feedback prescriptions possess radial and vertical metallicity
and kinematic gradients more in line with recent observations. The inverted, positive, radial metallicity gradients seen in the simulated thick stellar discs originate from a population of younger, more metal-rich, stars formed in-situ, superimposed upon a background population of older migrators from the inner disc; the contrast provided by the former increases radially, due to the inside-out growth of the disc. A similar behaviour may be responsible for the same
flattening seen in the radial gradients with scaleheight in the Milky Way
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Postpartum womenâs use of medicines and breastfeeding practices: a systematic review
The objectives of this article are to systematically review i) the extent of medicine use in postpartum women, and ii) the impact of maternal medicine use (excluding contraceptives and galactogogues) on breastfeeding outcomes (initiation and/or duration). PubMed, Medline (Ovid), Scopus (Elsevier), Cinahl (EBSCO), PsycINFO (Ovid), Embase (Ovid) and Web of Science (ISI) databases were searched to find original studies on medicine use in women after the birth. Additional studies were identified by searching Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Springer Link, selected journals and from the reference list of retrieved articles. Observational studies with information about postpartum womenâs use of any type of medicine either for chronic or acute illnesses with or without breastfeeding information were included. The majority of relevant studies suggest that more than 50 % of postpartum women (breastfeeding or not) required at least one medicine. Due to the lack of uniform medication use reporting system and differences in study designs, settings and samples, the proportion of medicine use by postpartum women varies widely, from 34 to 100 %. Regarding the impact of postpartum womenâs medicine use on breastfeeding, a few studies suggest that womenâs use of certain medicines (e.g. antiepileptics, propylthiouracil, antibiotics) during lactation can reduce initiation and/ or duration of breastfeeding. These studies are limited by small sample size, and with one exception, all were conducted in Canada more than a decade ago. Large scale studies are required to establish the relationship between maternal medicine use and breastfeeding, considering type of illness, period of use and total duration of medicine use
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