3,009 research outputs found
Near-Infrared Time-Series Photometry in the Field of Cygnus OB2 Association I - Rotational Scenario For Candidate Members
In the last decades, the early pre main sequence stellar rotational evolution
picture has been constrained by studies targeting different young regions at a
variety of ages. Observational studies suggest a mass-rotation dependence, and
for some mass ranges a connection between rotation and the presence of a
circumstellar disk. Not still fully explored, though, is the role of
environmental conditions on the rotational regulation.
We investigate the rotational properties of candidate members of the young
massive association Cygnus OB2. The Stetson variability index, Lomb-Scargle
periodogram, Saunders statistics, string/rope length method, and visual
verification of folded light curves were applied to select 1224 periodic
variable stars. Completeness and contamination of the periodic sample was
derived from Monte Carlo simulations, out of which 894 periods were considered
reliable. Our study was considered reasonably complete for periods from 2 to 30
days.
The general rotational scenario seen in other young regions is confirmed by
Cygnus OB2 period distributions, with disked stars rotating on average slower
than non-disked stars. A mass-rotation dependence was also verified, but as in
NGC 6530, lower mass stars are rotating on average slower than higher mass
stars, with an excess of slow rotators among the lower mass population. The
effect of the environment on the rotational properties of the association was
investigated by re-analysing the results while taking into account the incident
UV radiation arising from O stars in the association. Results compatible with
the disk-locking scenario were verified for stars with low UV incidence, but no
statistical significant relation between rotation and disk presence was
verified for stars with high UV incidence suggesting that massive stars can
have an important role on regulating the rotation of nearby low mass stars.Comment: Submitted on December 23, 201
The Quantum Stress-Tensor in Self-Similar Spherical Dust Collapse
We calculate the quantum stress tensor for a massless scalar field in the 2-d
self-similar spherical dust collapse model which admits a naked singularity. We
find that the outgoing radiation flux diverges on the Cauchy horizon. This may
have two consequences. The resultant back reaction may prevent the naked
singularity from forming, thus preserving cosmic censorship through quantum
effects. The divergent flux may lead to an observable signature differentiating
naked singularities from black holes in astrophysical observations.Comment: Latex File, 19 page
Phase-Dependent Properties of Extrasolar Planet Atmospheres
Recently the Spitzer Space Telescope observed the transiting extrasolar
planets, TrES-1 and HD209458b. These observations have provided the first
estimates of the day side thermal flux from two extrasolar planets orbiting
Sun-like stars. In this paper, synthetic spectra from atmospheric models are
compared to these observations. The day-night temperature difference is
explored and phase-dependent flux densities are predicted for both planets. For
HD209458b and TrES-1, models with significant day-to-night energy
redistribution are required to reproduce the observations. However, the
observational error bars are large and a range of models remains viable.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Gamma-Ray Bursts and Quantum Cosmic Censorship
Gamma-ray bursts are believed to result from the coalescence of binary
neutron stars. However, the standard proposals for conversion of the
gravitational energy to thermal energy have difficulties. We show that if the
merger of the two neutron stars results in a naked singularity, instead of a
black hole, the ensuing quantum particle creation can provide the requisite
thermal energy in a straightforward way. The back-reaction of the created
particles can avoid the formation of the naked singularity predicted by the
classical theory. Hence cosmic censorship holds in the quantum theory, even if
it were to be violated in classical general relativity.Comment: Latex File, 6 pages. This essay received the third award from the
Gravity Research Foundation for the year 199
Dynamical Mass Constraints on Low-Mass Pre-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolutionary Tracks: An Eclipsing Binary in Orion with a 1.0 Msun Primary and an 0.7 Msun Secondary
We report the discovery of a double-lined, spectroscopic, eclipsing binary in
the Orion star-forming region. We analyze the system spectroscopically and
photometrically to empirically determine precise, distance-independent masses,
radii, effective temperatures, and luminosities for both components. The
measured masses for the primary and secondary, accurate to ~1%, are 1.01 Msun
and 0.73 Msun, respectively; thus the primary is a definitive pre-main-sequence
solar analog, and the secondary is the lowest-mass star yet discovered among
pre-main-sequence eclipsing binary systems. We use these fundamental
measurements to test the predictions of pre-main-sequence stellar evolutionary
tracks. None of the models we examined correctly predict the masses of the two
components simultaneously, and we implicate differences between the theoretical
and empirical effective temperature scales for this failing. All of the models
predict the observed slope of the mass-radius relationship reasonably well,
though the observations tend to favor models with low convection efficiencies.
Indeed, considering our newly determined mass measurements together with other
dynamical mass measurements of pre-main-sequence stars in the literature, as
well as measurements of Li abundances in these stars, we show that the data
strongly favor evolutionary models with inefficient convection in the stellar
interior, even though such models cannot reproduce the properties of the
present-day Sun.Comment: Accepted by Ap
Resonance induced by repulsive interactions in a model of globally-coupled bistable systems
We show the existence of a competition-induced resonance effect for a generic
globally coupled bistable system. In particular, we demonstrate that the
response of the macroscopic variable to an external signal is optimal for a
particular proportion of repulsive links. Furthermore, we show that a resonance
also occurs for other system parameters, like the coupling strength and the
number of elements. We relate this resonance to the appearance of a multistable
region, and we predict the location of the resonance peaks, by a simple
spectral analysis of the Laplacian matrix
The fate of black branes in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity
Black branes are studied in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity. Evaporation
drives black branes towards one of two singularities depending on the sign of
, the Gauss-Bonnet coupling. For positive and sufficiently
large ratio , where is the radius of
compactification, black branes avoid the Gregory-Laflamme (GL) instability
before reaching a critical state. No black branes with the radius of horizon
smaller than the critical value can exist. Approaching the critical state
branes have a nonzero Hawking temperature. For negative all black
branes encounter the GL instability. No black branes may exist outside of the
interval of the critical values, , where
and is the radius of horizon of the black brane. The first order phase
transition line of GL transitions ends in a second order phase transition point
at
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