No periodicity revealed for an "eclipsing" ultraluminous supersoft X-ray source in M81

Luminous supersoft X-ray sources found in the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds are likely white dwarfs that steadily or cyclically burn accreted matter on their surface, which are promising type Ia supernova progenitors. Observations of distant galaxies with Chandra and XMM-Newton have revealed supersoft sources that are generally hotter and more luminous, including some ultraluminous supersoft sources (ULSs) that are possibly intermediate mass black holes of a few thousand solar masses. In this paper we report our X-ray spectral and timing analysis for M81-ULS1, an ultraluminous supersoft source in the nearby spiral galaxy M81. M81-ULS1 has been persistently supersoft in 17 Chandra ACIS observations spanning six years, and its spectrum can be described by either a $kT_{bb}\approx70$ eV blackbody for a $\sim1.2M_\odot$ white dwarf, or a $kT_{in} \approx 80$ eV multicolor accretion disk for a $\gtrsim10^3M_\odot$ intermediate mass black hole. In two observations, the light curves exhibited dramatic flux drop/rise on time scales of $10^3$ seconds, reminiscent of eclipse ingress/egress in eclipsing X-ray binaries. However, the exhaustive search for periodicity in the reasonable range of 50 ksec to 50 days failed to reveal an orbital period. The failure to reveal any periodicity is consistent with the long period ($\ge30$ yrs) predicted for this system given the optical identification of the secondary with an asymptotic giant star. Also, the eclipse-like dramatic flux changes in hours are hard to explain under the white dwarf model, but can in principle be explained by disk temperature changes induced by accretion rate variations under the intermediate mass black hole model.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, to appear in ApJ

A new clue to the transition mechanism between optical high and low states of the supersoft X-ray source RX J0513.9-6951, implied from the recurrent nova CI Aquilae 2000 outburst model

We have found a new clue to the transition mechanism between optical high/X-ray off and optical low/X-ray on states of the LMC supersoft X-ray source RX J0513.9-6951. A sharp ~1 mag drop is common to the CI Aql 2000 outburst. These drops are naturally attributed to cessation of optically thick winds on white dwarfs. A detailed light-curve analysis of CI Aql indicates that the size of a disk drastically shrinks when the wind stops. This causes ~1-2 mag drop in the optical light curve. In RX J0513.9-6951, the same mechanism reproduces sharp ~1 mag drop from optical high to low states. We predict this mechanism also works on the transition from low to high states. Interaction between the wind and the companion star attenuates the mass transfer and drives full cycles of low and high states.Comment: 9 pages including 5 figures, to appear in the Astrophysical Journa

Kinematic Orbits and the Structure of the Internal Space for Systems of Five or More Bodies

The internal space for a molecule, atom, or other n-body system can be conveniently parameterised by 3n-9 kinematic angles and three kinematic invariants. For a fixed set of kinematic invariants, the kinematic angles parameterise a subspace, called a kinematic orbit, of the n-body internal space. Building on an earlier analysis of the three- and four-body problems, we derive the form of these kinematic orbits (that is, their topology) for the general n-body problem. The case n=5 is studied in detail, along with the previously studied cases n=3,4.Comment: 38 pages, submitted to J. Phys.

An EUV Study of the Intermediate Polar EX Hydrae

On 2000 May 5, we began a large multi-wavelength campaign to study the intermediate polar, EX Hydrae. The simultaneous observations from six satellites and four telescopes were centered around a one million second observation with EUVE. Although EX Hydrae has been studied previously with EUVE, our higher signal-to-noise observations present new results and challenge the current IP models. Previously unseen dips in the light curve are reminiscent of the stream dips seen in polar light curves. Also of interest is the temporal extent of the bulge dip; approximately 0.5 in phase, implying that the bulge extends over half of the accretion disk. We propose that the magnetic field in EX Hydrae is strong enough (a few MG) to begin pulling material directly from the outer edge of the disk, thereby forming a large accretion curtain which would produce a very broad bulge dip. This would also result in magnetically controlled accretion streams originating from the outer edge of the disk. We also present a period analysis of the photometric data which shows numerous beat frequencies with strong power and also intermittent and wandering frequencies, an indication that physical conditions within EX Hya changed over the course of the observation. Iron spectral line ratios give a temperature of log T=6.5-6.9 K for all spin phases and a poorly constrained density of n_e=10^10-10^11 cm^-3 for the emitting plasma. This paper is the first in a series detailing our results from this multi-wavelength observational campaign.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Testing Mode-Coupling Theory for a Supercooled Binary Lennard-Jones Mixture II: Intermediate Scattering Function and Dynamic Susceptibility

We have performed a molecular dynamics computer simulation of a supercooled binary Lennard-Jones system in order to compare the dynamical behavior of this system with the predictions of the idealized version of mode-coupling theory (MCT). By scaling the time $t$ by the temperature dependent $\alpha$-relaxation time $\tau(T)$, we find that in the $\alpha$-relaxation regime $F(q,t)$ and $F_s(q,t)$, the coherent and incoherent intermediate scattering functions, for different temperatures each follows a $q$-dependent master curve as a function of scaled time. We show that during the early part of the $\alpha$-relaxation, which is equivalent to the late part of the $\beta$-relaxation, these master curves are well approximated by the master curve predicted by MCT for the $\beta$-relaxation. This part is also fitted well by a power-law, the so-called von Schweidler law. We show that the effective exponent $b'$ of this power-law depends on the wave vector $q$ if $q$ is varied over a large range. The early part of the $\beta$-relaxation regime does not show the critical decay predicted by MCT. The $q$-dependence of the nonergodicity parameter for $F_{s}(q,t)$ and $F(q,t)$ are in qualitative agreement with MCT. On the time scale of the late $\alpha$-relaxation the correlation functions show a Kohlrausch-Williams-Watt behavior (KWW). The KWW exponent $\beta$ is significantly different from the effective von Schweidler exponent $b'$. At low temperatures the $\alpha$-relaxation time $\tau(T)$ shows a power-law behavior with a critical temperature that is the same as the one found previously for the diffusion constant [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 73}, 1376 (1994)]. The critical exponent of this power-law and the von Schweidler exponent $b'$ fulfill the connection proposed by MCT between these two quantities. We also show that theComment: 28 Pages of REVTEX, Figures available from W. Ko

Evolution of the polarization of the optical afterglow of the gamma-ray burst GRB 030329

We report 31 polarimetric observations of the afterglow of GRB 030329 with high signal-to-noise and high sampling frequency. We establish the polarization light curve, detect sustained polarization at the percent level, and find significant variability of polarization degree and angle. The data imply that the afterglow magnetic field has small coherence length and is mostly random, probably generated by turbulence.Comment: Nature 426 (13. Nov. 2003), 2 figure

VLT observations of GRB 990510 and its environment

We present BVRI photometry and spectrophotometry of GRB990510 obtained with the ESO VLT/Antu telescope during the late decline phase. Between days 8 and 29 after the burst, the afterglow faded from R=24.2 to ~26.4. The spectral flux distribution and the light curve support the interpretation of the afterglow as synchrotron emission from a jet. The light curve is consistent with the optical transient alone but an underlying SN with maximum brightness R>27.4 or a galaxy with R>27.6 (3-sigma upper limits) cannot be ruled out. To a 5-sigma detection threshold of R=26.1, no galaxy is found within 6'' of the transient. A very blue V~24.5 extended object which may qualify as a starburst galaxy is located 12'' SE, but at unknown redshift.Comment: 5 pages A&A Latex, accepted for publication in A&A Letter

The 1995-1996 Decline of R Coronae Borealis - High Resolution Optical Spectroscopy

A set of high-resolution optical spectra of RCrB acquired before, during, and after its 1995-1996 decline is discussed. All of the components reported from earlier declines are seen. This novel dataset provides new information on these components including several aspects not previously seen in declines of RCrB and other RCBs. In the latter category is the discovery that the decline's onset is marked by distortions of absorption lines of high-excitation lines, and quickly followed by emission in these and in low excitation lines. This 'photospheric trigger' implies that dust causing the decline is formed close to the star. These emission lines fade quickly. After 1995 November 2, low excitation narrow (FWHM ~12 km s-1) emission lines remain. These appear to be a permanent feature, slightly blue-shifted from the systemic velocity, and unaffected by the decline except for a late and slight decrease of flux at minimum light. The location of the warm, dense gas providing these lines is uncertain. Absorption lines unaffected by overlying sharp emission are greatly broadened, weakened, and red-shifted at the faintest magnitudes when scattered light from the star is a greater contributor than direct light transmitted through the fresh soot cloud. A few broad lines are seen at and near minimum light with approxiamately constant flux: prominent among these are the He I triplet series, Na I D, and [N II] lines. These lines are blue-shifted by about 30 km s(-1) relative to the systemic velocity with no change in velocity over the several months for whicht he lines were seen. It is suggested that these lines, especially the He I lines, arise from an accretion disk around an unseen compact companion, which may be a low-mass white dwarf. If so, R CrB is similar to the unusual post-AGB star 89 Her.Comment: 31 pages, 26 figure

Six supersoft X-ray binaries: system parameters and twin-jet outflows

A comparison is made between the properties of CAL 83, CAL 87, RX J0513.9-6951, 1E 0035.4-7230 (SMC 13), RX J0019.8+2156, and RX J0925.7-4758, all supersoft X-ray binaries. Spectra with the same resolution and wavelength coverage of these systems are compared and contrasted. Some new photometry is also presented. The equivalent widths of the principal emission lines of H and He II differ by more than an order of magnitude among these sources, although those of the highest ionization lines (e.g. O VI) are very similar. In individual systems, the velocity curves derived from various ions often differ in phasing and amplitude, but those whose phasing is consistent with the light curves (implying the lines are formed near the compact star) give masses of $\sim 1.2M_{\odot}$ and $\sim 0.5M_{\odot}$ for the degenerate and mass-losing stars, respectively. This finding is in conflict with currently prevailing theoretical models for supersoft binaries. The three highest luminosity sources show evidence of "jet" outflows, with velocities of $\sim 1-4 \times10^3 km/s$. In CAL 83 the shape of the He II 4686\AA profile continues to show evidence that these jets may precess with a period of $\sim 69$ days.Comment: 27 pages including 5 tables, plus 6 figures. To appear in Ap

GeneLab: Scientific Partnerships and an Open-Access Database to Maximize Usage of Omics Data from Space Biology Experiments

NASA's mission includes expanding our understanding of biological systems to improve life on Earth and to enable long-duration human exploration of space. The GeneLab Data System (GLDS) is NASAs premier open-access omics data platform for biological experiments. GLDS houses standards-compliant, high-throughput sequencing and other omics data from spaceflight-relevant experiments. The GeneLab project at NASA-Ames Research Center is developing the database, and also partnering with spaceflight projects through sharing or augmentation of experiment samples to expand omics analyses on precious spaceflight samples. The partnerships ensure that the maximum amount of data is garnered from spaceflight experiments and made publically available as rapidly as possible via the GLDS. GLDS Version 1.0, went online in April 2015. Software updates and new data releases occur at least quarterly. As of October 2016, the GLDS contains 80 datasets and has search and download capabilities. Version 2.0 is slated for release in September of 2017 and will have expanded, integrated search capabilities leveraging other public omics databases (NCBI GEO, PRIDE, MG-RAST). Future versions in this multi-phase project will provide a collaborative platform for omics data analysis. Data from experiments that explore the biological effects of the spaceflight environment on a wide variety of model organisms are housed in the GLDS including data from rodents, invertebrates, plants and microbes. Human datasets are currently limited to those with anonymized data (e.g., from cultured cell lines). GeneLab ensures prompt release and open access to high-throughput genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data from spaceflight and ground-based simulations of microgravity, radiation or other space environment factors. The data are meticulously curated to assure that accurate experimental and sample processing metadata are included with each data set. GLDS download volumes indicate strong interest of the scientific community in these data. To date GeneLab has partnered with multiple experiments including two plant (Arabidopsis thaliana) experiments, two mice experiments, and several microbe experiments. GeneLab optimized protocols in the rodent partnerships for maximum yield of RNA, DNA and protein from tissues harvested and preserved during the SpaceX-4 mission, as well as from tissues from mice that were frozen intact during spaceflight and later dissected on the ground. Analysis of GeneLab data will contribute fundamental knowledge of how the space environment affects biological systems, and as well as yield terrestrial benefits resulting from mitigation strategies to prevent effects observed during exposure to space environments