64 research outputs found
Vivir a la intemperie. Personas sin hogar en Zaragoza
Este trabajo recoge el análisis de diversas entrevistas realizadas a personas sin hogar que se encuentran actualmente en la ciudad de Zaragoza
Gamma-Ray Bursts Trace UV Metrics of Star Formation over 3 < z < 5
We present the first uniform treatment of long duration gamma-ray burst (GRB)
host galaxy detections and upper limits over the redshift range 3<z<5, a key
epoch for observational and theoretical efforts to understand the processes,
environments, and consequences of early cosmic star formation. We contribute
deep imaging observations of 13 GRB positions yielding the discovery of eight
new host galaxies. We use this dataset in tandem with previously published
observations of 31 further GRB positions to estimate or constrain the host
galaxy rest-frame ultraviolet (UV; 1600 A) absolute magnitudes M_UV. We then
use the combined set of 44 M_UV estimates and limits to construct the M_UV
luminosity function (LF) for GRB host galaxies over 3<z<5 and compare it to
expectations from Lyman break galaxy (LBG) photometric surveys with the Hubble
Space Telescope. Adopting standard prescriptions for the luminosity dependence
of galaxy dust obscuration (and hence, total star formation rate), we find that
our LF is compatible with LBG observations over a factor of 600x in host
luminosity, from M_UV = -22.5 mag to >-15.6 mag, and with extrapolations of the
assumed Schechter-type LF well beyond this range. We review proposed
astrophysical and observational biases for our sample, and find they are for
the most part minimal. We therefore conclude, as the simplest interpretation of
our results, that GRBs successfully trace UV metrics of cosmic star formation
over the range 3<z<5. Our findings suggest GRBs are providing an accurate
picture of star formation processes from z ~3 out to the highest redshifts.Comment: publ. ApJ 809 (2015) 76; 14 figures; replacement to reflect changes
to v1 (rounding effects, diff. LF from Bouwens
GRB 091127: The cooling break race on magnetic fuel
Using high-quality, broad-band afterglow data for GRB 091127, we investigate
the validity of the synchrotron fireball model for gamma-ray bursts, and infer
physical parameters of the ultra-relativistic outflow. We used multi-wavelength
follow-up observations obtained with GROND and the XRT onboard the Swift
satellite. The resulting afterglow light curve is of excellent accuracy, and
the spectral energy distribution is well-sampled over 5 decades in energy.
These data present one of the most comprehensive observing campaigns for a
single GRB afterglow and allow us to test several proposed emission models and
outflow characteristics in unprecedented detail. Both the multi-color light
curve and the broad-band SED of the afterglow of GRB 091127 show evidence of a
cooling break moving from high to lower energies. The early light curve is well
described by a broken power-law, where the initial decay in the optical/NIR
wavelength range is considerably flatter than at X-rays. Detailed fitting of
the time-resolved SED shows that the break is very smooth with a sharpness
index of 2.2 +- 0.2, and evolves towards lower frequencies as a power-law with
index -1.23 +- 0.06. These are the first accurate and contemporaneous
measurements of both the sharpness of the spectral break and its time
evolution. The measured evolution of the cooling break (nu_c propto t^-1.2) is
not consistent with the predictions of the standard model, wherein nu_c propto
t^-0.5 is expected. A possible explanation for the observed behavior is a time
dependence of the microphysical parameters, in particular the fraction of the
total energy in the magnetic field epsilon_B. This conclusion provides further
evidence that the standard fireball model is too simplistic, and time-dependent
micro-physical parameters may be required to model the growing number of
well-sampled afterglow light curves.Comment: accepted to A&A, 13 pages, 5 figure
The host galaxy of the short GRB 050709
The host of the short gamma-ray burst (GRB) 050709 is a morphologically disturbed low-luminous galaxy. At a redshift of z = 0.16, it belongs to one of the cosmologically nearest short-GRB hosts identified to date. Consequently, it represents a promising target for sensitive, spatially resolved observational studies. We have used the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) mounted at the Very Large Telescope to characterize the GRB host galaxy. In addition, we performed deep radio-continuum observations of the host with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and with ALMA at 1.3 mm. Moreover, we made use of archival Spitzer Space Telescope 24 μm and Hubble Space Telescope/F814W imaging data of this galaxy. The spatially resolved MUSE data reveal that the entire host is a source of strong line emission, in particular from Hα and [O II
Variability in sediment particle size, mineralogy, and Fe mode of occurrence across dust-source inland drainage basins: the case of the lower Drâa Valley, Morocco
Variability in sediment particle size, mineralogy, and Fe mode of occurrence across dust-source inland drainage basins:the case of the lower Drâa Valley, Morocco
The effects of desert dust upon climate and ecosystems depend strongly on its particle size and size-resolved mineralogical composition. However, there is very limited quantitative knowledge on the particle size and composition of the parent sediments along with their variability within dust-source regions, particularly in dust emission hotspots. The lower Drâa Valley, an inland drainage basin and dust hotspot region located in the Moroccan Sahara, was chosen for a comprehensive analysis of sediment particle size and mineralogy. Different sediment type samples (n=42) were collected, including paleo-sediments, paved surfaces, crusts, and dunes, and analysed for particle-size distribution (minimally and fully dispersed samples) and mineralogy. Furthermore, Fe sequential wet extraction was carried out to characterise the modes of occurrence of Fe, including Fe in Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, mainly from goethite and hematite, which are key to dust radiative effects; the poorly crystalline pool of Fe (readily exchangeable ionic Fe and Fe in nano-Fe oxides), relevant to dust impacts upon ocean biogeochemistry; and structural Fe. Results yield a conceptual model where both particle size and mineralogy are segregated by transport and deposition of sediments during runoff of water across the basin and by the precipitation of salts, which causes a sedimentary fractionation. The proportion of coarser particles enriched in quartz is higher in the highlands, while that of finer particles rich in clay, carbonates, and Fe oxides is higher in the lowland dust emission hotspots. There, when water ponds and evaporates, secondary carbonates and salts precipitate, and the clays are enriched in readily exchangeable ionic Fe, due to sorption of dissolved Fe by illite. The results differ from currently available mineralogical atlases and highlight the need for observationally constrained global high-resolution mineralogical data for mineral-speciated dust modelling. The dataset obtained represents an important resource for future evaluation of surface mineralogy retrievals from spaceborne spectroscopy.</p
A revised host galaxy association for GRBÂ 020819B: a high-redshift dusty starburst, not a low-redshift gas-poor spiral
The purported spiral host galaxy of GRB 020819B at z = 0.41 has been seminal in establishing our view of the diversity of long-duration gamma-ray burst environments: Optical spectroscopy of this host provided evidence that gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can form even at high metallicities, whereas millimetric observations suggested that GRBs may preferentially form in regions with minimal molecular gas. We report new observations from the Very Large Telescope (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer and X-shooter), which demonstrate that the purported host is an unrelated foreground galaxy. The probable radio afterglow is coincident with a compact, highly star forming, dusty galaxy at z = 1.9621. The revised redshift naturally explains the apparent non-detection of CO (3–2) line emission at the afterglow site from the Atacama Large Millimetre Observatory. There is no evidence that molecular gas properties in GRB host galaxies are unusual, and limited evidence that GRBs can form readily at a super-Solar metallicity
Variability in sediment particle size, mineralogy, and Fe mode of occurrence across dust-source inland drainage basins: the case of the lower Drâa Valley, Morocco
The effects of desert dust upon climate and ecosystems depend strongly on its particle size and size-resolved mineralogical composition. However, there is very limited quantitative knowledge on the particle size and composition of the parent sediments along with their variability within dust-source regions, particularly in dust emission hotspots. The lower Drâa Valley, an inland drainage basin and dust hotspot region located in the Moroccan Sahara, was chosen for a comprehensive analysis of sediment particle size and mineralogy. Different sediment type samples (n= 42) were collected, including paleo-sediments, paved surfaces, crusts, and dunes, and analysed for particle-size distribution (minimally and fully dispersed samples) and mineralogy. Furthermore, Fe sequential wet extraction was carried out to characterise the modes of occurrence of Fe, including Fe in Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, mainly from goethite and hematite, which are key to dust radiative effects; the poorly crystalline pool of Fe (readily exchangeable ionic Fe and Fe in nano-Fe oxides), relevant to dust impacts upon ocean biogeochemistry; and structural Fe. Results yield a conceptual model where both particle size and mineralogy are segregated by transport and deposition of sediments during runoff of water across the basin and by the precipitation of salts, which causes a sedimentary fractionation. The proportion of coarser particles enriched in quartz is higher in the highlands, while that of finer particles rich in clay, carbonates, and Fe oxides is higher in the lowland dust emission hotspots. There, when water ponds and evaporates, secondary carbonates and salts precipitate, and the clays are enriched in readily exchangeable ionic Fe, due to sorption of dissolved Fe by illite. The results differ from currently available mineralogical atlases and highlight the need for observationally constrained global high-resolution mineralogical data for mineral-speciated dust modelling. The dataset obtained represents an important resource for future evaluation of surface mineralogy retrievals from spaceborne spectroscopy
A very luminous magnetar-powered supernova associated with an ultra-long gamma-ray burst
A new class of ultra-long duration (>10,000 s) gamma-ray bursts has recently been suggested1,2,3. They may originate in the explosion of stars with much larger radii than normal long gamma-ray bursts3,4 or in the tidal disruptions of a star3. No clear supernova had yet been associated with an ultra-long gamma-ray burst. Here we report that a supernova (2011kl) was associated with the ultra-long duration burst 111209A, at z=0.677. This supernova is more than 3 times more luminous than type Ic supernovae associated with long gamma-ray bursts5,6,7, and its spectrum is distinctly different. The continuum slope resembles those of super-luminous supernovae8,9, but extends farther down into the rest-frame ultra-violet implying a low metal content. The light curve evolves much more rapidly than super-luminous supernovae. The combination of high luminosity and low metal-line opacity cannot be reconciled with typical type Ic supernovae, but can be reproduced by a model where extra energy is injected by a strongly magnetized neutron star (a magnetar), which has also been proposed as the explanation for super-luminous supernovae20,20a
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