1,319 research outputs found
Spectral variability in faint high frequency peakers
We present the analysis of simultaneous multi-frequency Very Large Array
(VLA) observations of 57 out of 61 sources from the ``faint'' high frequency
peaker (HFP) sample carried out in various epochs. Sloan Digital Sky Survey
(SDSS) data have been used to identify the optical counterpart of each radio
source. From the analysis of the multi-epoch spectra we find that 24 sources do
not show evidence of spectral variability, while 12 objects do not possess a
peaked spectrum anymore at least in one of the observing epochs. Among the
remaining 21 sources showing some degree of variability, we find that in 8
objects the spectral properties change consistently with the expectation for a
radio source undergoing adiabatic expansion. The comparison between the
variability and the optical identification suggests that the majority of radio
sources hosted in galaxies likely represent the young radio source population,
whereas the majority of those associated with quasars are part of a different
population similar to flat-spectrum objects, which possess peaked spectra
during short intervals of their life, as found in other samples of
high-frequency peaking objects. The analysis of the optical images from the
SDSS points out the presence of companions around 6 HFP hosted in galaxies,
suggesting that young radio sources resides in groups.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in MNRA
Planetary Nebulae as Probes of Stellar Evolution and Populations
Planetary Nebulae (PNe) have been used satisfactory to test the effects of
stellar evolution on the Galactic chemical environment. Moreover, a link exists
between nebular morphology and stellar populations and evolution. We present
the latest results on Galactic PN morphology, and an extension to a distance
unbiased and homogeneous sample of Large Magellanic Cloud PNe. We show that PNe
and their morphology may be successfully used as probes of stellar evolution
and populations.Comment: to appear in: Chemical Evolution of the Milky Way: stars versus
clusters, ed. F. Giovannelli and F. Matteucci, Kluwer (2000), in pres
VLBA images of High Frequency Peakers
We propose a morphological classification based on the parsec scale structure
of fifty-one High Frequency Peakers (HFPs) from the ``bright'' HFP sample. VLBA
images at two adjacent frequencies (chosen among 8.4, 15.3, 22.2 and 43.2 GHz)
have been used to investigate the morphological properties of the HFPs in the
optically thin part of their spectrum. We confirm that there is quite a clear
distinction between the pc-scale radio structure of galaxies and quasars: the
78% of the galaxies show a ``Double/Triple'' morphology, typical of Compact
Symmetric Objects (CSOs), while the 87% of the quasars are characterised by
Core-Jet or unresolved structure. This suggests that most HFP candidates
identified with quasars are likely blazar objects in which a flaring
self-absorbed component at the jet base was outshining the remainder of the
source at the time of the selection based on the spectral shape. Among the
sources classified as CSOs or candidates it is possible to find extremely young
radio sources with ages of about 100 years or even less.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures; accepted for pubblication in A&A. Paper version
with full resolution images is available at
http://www.ira.inaf.it/~ddallaca/orienti.p
A test for asymptotic giant branch evolution theories: Planetary Nebulae in the Large Magellanic Cloud
We used a new generation of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stellar models that
include dust formation in the stellar winds to find the links between
evolutionary models and the observed properties of a homogeneous sample of
Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) planetary nebulae (PNe). Comparison between the
evolutionary yields of elements such as CNO and the corresponding observed
chemical abundances is a powerful tool to shed light on evolutionary processes
such as hot bottom burning (HBB) and third dredge-up (TDU). We found that the
occurrence of HBB is needed to interpret the nitrogen-enriched (log(N/H)+12>8)
PNe. In particular, N-rich PNe with the lowest carbon content are nicely
reproduced by AGB models of mass M >=6 Mo, whose surface chemistry reflects the
pure effects of HBB. PNe with log(N/H)+12<7.5 correspond to ejecta of stars
that have not experienced HBB, with initial mass below about 3 Mo. Some of
these stars show very large carbon abundances, owing to the many TDU episodes
experienced. We found from our LMC PN sample that there is a threshold to the
amount of carbon accumulated at AGB surfaces, log(C/H)+12<9. Confirmation of
this constraint would indicate that, after the C-star stage is reached,AGBs
experience only a few thermal pulses, which suggests a rapid loss of the
external mantle, probably owing to the effects of radiation pressure on
carbonaceous dust particles present in the circumstellar envelope. The
implications of these findings for AGB evolution theories and the need to
extend the PN sample currently available are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRAS (2015
July 13; in original form 2015 June 9
Planetary Nebulae in the Small Magellanic Cloud
We analyse the planetary nebulae (PNe) population of the Small Magellanic
Cloud (SMC), based on evolutionary models of stars with metallicities in the
range and mass , evolved through the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase. The models
used account for dust formation in the circumstellar envelope. To characterise
the PNe sample of the SMC, we compare the observed abundances of the various
species with the final chemical composition of the AGB models: this study
allows us to identify the progenitors of the PNe observed, in terms of mass and
chemical composition. According to our interpretation, most of the PNe descend
from low-mass () stars, which become carbon rich, after
experiencing repeated third dredge-up episodes, during the AGB phase. A
fraction of the PNe showing the signature of advanced CNO processing are
interpreted as the progeny of massive AGB stars, with mass above , undergoing strong hot bottom burning. The differences with the
chemical composition of the PNe population of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
is explained on the basis of the diverse star formation history and
age-metallicity relation of the two galaxies. The implications of the present
study for some still highly debated points regarding the AGB evolution are also
commented.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 11 pages, 4 figure
3-D Photoionization Structure and Distances of Planetary Nebulae III. NGC 6781
Continuing our series of papers on the three-dimensional (3-D) structures of
and accurate distances to Planetary Nebulae (PNe), we present our study of the
planetary nebula NGC6781. For this object we construct a 3-D photoionization
model and, using the constraints provided by observational data from the
literature we determine the detailed 3-D structure of the nebula, the physical
parameters of the ionizing source and the first precise distance. The procedure
consists in simultaneously fitting all the observed emission line morphologies,
integrated intensities and the 2-D density map from the [SII] line ratios to
the parameters generated by the model, and in an iterative way obtain the best
fit for the central star parameters and the distance to NGC6781, obtaining
values of 950+-143pc and 385 Lsun for the distance and luminosity of the
central star respectively. Using theoretical evolutionary tracks of
intermediate and low mass stars, we derive the mass of the central star of
NGC6781 and its progenitor to be 0.60+-0.03 Msun and 1.5+-0.5 Msun
respectively.Comment: 16 pp, 6 figues, 2 tables, submitted to the Ap
US National Gemini Office in the NOIRLab era
This article presents an overview of the US National Gemini Office (US NGO)
and its role within the International Gemini Observatory user community.
Throughout the years, the US NGO charter changed considerably to accommodate
the evolving needs of astronomers and the observatory. The current landscape of
observational astronomy requires effective communication between stakeholders
and reliable/accessible data reduction tools and products, which minimize the
time between data gathering and publication of scientific results. Because of
that, the US NGO heavily invests in producing data reduction tutorials and
cookbooks. Recently, the US NGO started engaging with the Gemini user community
through social media, and the results have been encouraging, increasing the
observatory's visibility. The US NGO staff developed tools to assess whether
the support provided to the user community is sufficient and effective, through
website analytics and social media engagement numbers. These quantitative
metrics serve as the baseline for internal reporting and directing efforts to
new or current products. In the era of the NSF's National Optical-Infrared
Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab), the US NGO is well-positioned to be
the liaison between the US user base and the Gemini Observatory. Furthermore,
collaborations within NOIRLab programs, such as the Astro Data Lab and the Time
Allocation Committee, enhance the US NGO outreach to attract users and develop
new products. The future landscape laid out by the Astro 2020 report confirms
the need to establish such synergies and provide more integrated user support
services to the astronomical community at large.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, published in the Journal of Astronomical
Telescopes, Instruments, and System
Extended radio emission in BL Lac objects - I: the images
We have observed 28 sources selected from the 1Jy sample of BL Lac objects
(Stickel et al. 1991) with the Very Large Array (VLA) in A, B and D
configurations at 1.36, 1.66 and 4.85 GHz, and/or with the Westerbork Synthesis
Radio Telescope (WSRT) at 1.40 GHz. In this paper we present high sensitivity
images at arcsecond resolution of the 18 objects showing extended structure in
our images, and of another source from the FIRST (Faint Images of the Radio Sky
at Twenty-cm) survey (Becker et al. 1995). In general our high sensitivity
images reveal an amount of extended emission larger than previously reported.
In some objects the luminosity of the extended structure is comparable with
that of FR~II radio sources. A future paper will be devoted to the
interpretation of these results.Comment: 12 pages, 35 figures, to appear on A&A Supp. Ser., postscript file
with figures included available at
http://www.ira.noto.cnr.it/staff/carlo/ds1030.ps.g
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