Search

Start Over Subject optical astronomy
2881. Polarimetry obs. toward IC5146 background stars
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/849/157
Title:
Polarimetry obs. toward IC5146 background stars
Short Name:
J/ApJ/849/157
Date:
21 Oct 2021
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
We present optical and near-infrared stellar polarization observations toward the dark filamentary clouds associated with IC5146. The data allow us to investigate the dust properties (this paper) and the magnetic field structure (Paper II). A total of 2022 background stars were detected in the Rc, i', H, and/or K bands to A_V_<~25mag. The ratio of the polarization percentage at different wavelengths provides an estimate of {lambda}_max_, the wavelength of the peak polarization, which is an indicator of the small-size cutoff of the grain size distribution. The grain size distribution seems to significantly change at A_V_~3mag, where both the average and dispersion of P_Rc_/P_H_ decrease. In addition, we found {lambda}_max_~0.6-0.9{mu}m for A_V_>2.5mag, which is larger than the ~0.55{mu}m in the general interstellar medium (ISM), suggesting that grain growth has already started in low-AV regions. Our data also reveal that polarization efficiency (PE=P_{lambda}_/A_V_) decreases with A_V_ as a power law in the Rc, i', and K bands with indices of -0.71+/-0.10, -1.23+/-0.10, and -0.53+/-0.09. However, H-band data show a power index change; the PE varies with A_V_ steeply (index of -0.95+/-0.30) when A_V_<2.88+/-0.67mag, but softly (index of -0.25+/-0.06) for greater AV values. The soft decay of PE in high-AV regions is consistent with the radiative alignment torque model, suggesting that our data trace the magnetic field to A_V_~20mag. Furthermore, the breakpoint found in the H band is similar to that for A_V_, where we found the P_Rc_/P_H_ dispersion significantly decreased. Therefore, the flat PE-A_V_ in high-A_V_ regions implies that the power-index changes result from additional grain growth.
2882. Polarimetry & photometry of GRB with RINGO2
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/843/143
Title:
Polarimetry & photometry of GRB with RINGO2
Short Name:
J/ApJ/843/143
Date:
21 Oct 2021
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
We present a catalog of early-time (~10^2^-10^4^s) photometry and polarimetry of all gamma-ray burst (GRB) optical afterglows observed with the RINGO2 imaging polarimeter on the Liverpool Telescope. Of the 19 optical afterglows observed, the following nine were bright enough to perform photometry and attempt polarimetry: GRB100805A, GRB101112A, GRB110205A, GRB110726A, GRB120119A, GRB120308A, GRB120311A, GRB120326A, and GRB120327A. We present multiwavelength light curves for these 9 GRBs, together with estimates of their optical polarization degrees and/or limits. We carry out a thorough investigation of detection probabilities, instrumental properties, and systematics. Using two independent methods, we confirm previous reports of significant polarization in GRB 110205A and 120308A, and report the new detection of P=6_-2_^+3^% in GRB101112A. We discuss the results for the sample in the context of the reverse- and forward-shock afterglow scenario, and show that GRBs with detectable optical polarization at early time have clearly identifiable signatures of reverse-shock emission in their optical light curves. This supports the idea that GRB ejecta contain large-scale magnetic fields, and it highlights the importance of rapid-response polarimetry.
2883. Polarimetry toward sightlines through ChaI
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/720/1045
Title:
Polarimetry toward sightlines through ChaI
Short Name:
J/ApJ/720/1045
Date:
21 Oct 2021
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
We have obtained optical multi-band polarimetry toward sightlines through the Chamaeleon I cloud, particularly in the vicinity of the young B9/A0 star HD 97300. We show, in agreement with earlier studies, that the radiation field impinging on the cloud in the projected vicinity of the star is dominated by the flux from the star, as evidenced by a local enhancement in the grain heating. By comparing the differential grain heating with the differential change in the location of the peak of the polarization curve, we show that the grain alignment is enhanced by the increase in the radiation field. We also find a weak, but measurable, variation in the grain alignment with the relative angle between the radiation field anisotropy and the magnetic field direction. Such an anisotropy in the grain alignment is consistent with a unique prediction of modern radiative alignment torque theory and provides direct support for radiatively driven grain alignment.
2884. Polarization measurements of S201 with JCMT
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/897/90
Title:
Polarization measurements of S201 with JCMT
Short Name:
J/ApJ/897/90
Date:
11 Mar 2022
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
We present the properties of magnetic fields (B fields) in two clumps (clump 1 and clump 2), located at the waist of the bipolar HII region Sh2-201, based on James Clerk Maxwell Telescope SCUBA-2/POL-2 observations of 850{mu}m polarized dust emission. We find that B fields in the direction of the clumps are bent and compressed, showing bow-like morphologies, which we attribute to the feedback effect of the HII region on the surface of the clumps. Using the modified Davis-Chandrasekhar-Fermi method, we estimate B-field strengths of 266 and 65{mu}G for clump 1 and clump 2, respectively. From virial analyses and critical mass ratio estimates, we argue that clump 1 is gravitationally bound and could be undergoing collapse, whereas clump 2 is unbound and stable. We hypothesize that the interplay of the thermal pressure imparted by the HII region, the B-field morphologies, and the various internal pressures of the clumps (such as magnetic, turbulent, and gas thermal pressures) has the following consequences: (a) formation of clumps at the waist of the HII region; (b) progressive compression and enhancement of the B fields in the clumps; (c) stronger B fields that will shield the clumps from erosion by the HII region and cause pressure equilibrium between the clumps and the HII region, thereby allowing expanding ionization fronts to blow away from the filament ridge, forming bipolar HII regions; and (d) stronger B fields and turbulence that will be able to stabilize the clumps. A study of a larger sample of bipolar HII regions would help to determine whether our hypotheses are widely applicable.
2885. Polarization of 125 stars in NGC 1817 open cluster
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/160/256
Title:
Polarization of 125 stars in NGC 1817 open cluster
Short Name:
J/AJ/160/256
Date:
21 Oct 2021
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
Multiband linear polarimetric observations of 125 stars in the region of the cluster NGC1817 have been carried out intending to study properties of interstellar dust and grains in that direction. The polarization is found to be wavelength-dependent, being maximum in the V-band with an average value of 0.95%. The foreground interstellar dust grains appear to be the main source of linear polarization of starlight toward the direction of NGC1817. The average value of the position angle in the V-band of 119.2{deg} is found to be less than the direction of the Galactic parallel in the region, indicating that the dust grains in the direction are probably not yet relaxed. Spatial distribution of dust appears to be more diverse in the coronal region than the core region of the cluster. The maximum value of the degree of polarization is estimated to be 0.93% for members of the cluster using the Serkowski relation. The average value of wavelength corresponding to the maximum polarization of 0.54{+/-}0.02{mu}m indicates that the size distribution of dust grains in the line of sight is similar to that of the general interstellar medium. Several variable stars in the cluster were also observed polarimetrically and pulsating variables appear to have a slightly lower value of polarization from other nonvariable member stars of the cluster. There are indications of the existence of dust layers in front of those clusters which are located close to galactic plane while for clusters located away from galactic plane no major dust layers are observed.
2886. Polarization & photom. of stars toward LDN1225
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/875/64
Title:
Polarization & photom. of stars toward LDN1225
Short Name:
J/ApJ/875/64
Date:
21 Oct 2021
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
We present results based on the optical R-band observations of the polarization of 280 stars distributed toward the dark globule LDN1225. Parallaxes from Gaia data release 2 along with the polarization data of ~200 stars have been used to (a) constrain the distance of LDN 1225 as 830+/-83pc, (b) determine the contribution of interstellar polarization, and (c) characterize the dust properties and delineate the magnetic field (B-field) morphology of LDN 1225. We find that B-fields are more organized and exhibit a small dispersion of 12{deg}. Using the ^12^CO molecular line data from the Purple Mountain Observatory, along with the column density and dispersion in B-fields, we estimate the B-field strength to be ~56+/-10{mu}G, the ratio of magnetic to turbulent pressure to be ~3+/-2, and the ratio of mass to magnetic flux (in units of the critical value) to be <1. These results indicate the dominant role of B-fields in comparison to turbulence and gravity in rendering the cloud support. B-fields are aligned parallel to the low-density parts (traced by a ^12^CO map) of the cloud; in contrast, they are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the high-density core structures (traced by ^13^CO and C^18^O maps). LDN1225 hosts two 70{mu}m sources, which seem to be low-mass Class 0 sources. The ratio of total to selective extinction derived using optical and near-infrared photometric data is found to be anomalous (RV=3.4), suggesting the growth of dust grains in LDN 1225. The polarization efficiency of dust grains follows a power law with an index of -0.7, implying that optical polarimetry traces B-fields in the outer parts of the cloud.
2887. Portrait Galactic disc
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/640/A1
Title:
Portrait Galactic disc
Short Name:
J/A+A/640/A1
Date:
28 Feb 2022 08:13:18
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
The large astrometric and photometric survey performed by the Gaia mission allows for a panoptic view of the Galactic disc and in its stellar cluster population. Hundreds of clusters were only discovered after the latest Gaia data release (DR2) and have yet to be characterised. Here we make use of the deep and homogeneous Gaia photometry down to G=18 to estimate the distance, age, and interstellar reddening for about 2000 clusters identified with Gaia DR2 astrometry. We use these objects to study the structure and evolution of the Galactic disc. We rely on a set of objects with well-determined parameters in the literature to train an artificial neural network to estimate parameters from the Gaia photometry of cluster members and their mean parallax. We obtain reliable parameters for 1867 clusters. Our new homogeneous catalogue confirms the relative lack of old clusters in the inner disc (with a few notable exceptions). We also quantify and discuss the variation of scale height with cluster age, and detect the Galactic warp in the distribution of old clusters. This work results in a large and homogenous cluster catalogue. However, the present sample is still unable to trace the Outer spiral arm of the Milky Way, which indicates that the outer disc cluster census might still be incomplete.
2888. Positions of Triton with Sheshan Station telescope
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/161/237
Title:
Positions of Triton with Sheshan Station telescope
Short Name:
J/AJ/161/237
Date:
20 Jan 2022
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
The large time span and precise observational data of natural satellites is of great significance for updating their ephemerides and studying their dynamic characteristics. With the help of the new image-processing methods and the Gaia DR2 catalog, all CCD images of Triton taken with the 1.56m telescope of Shanghai Astronomical Observatory during 2005-2009 were reanalyzed. The median filtering algorithm is used for image preprocessing to remove the influence of the halo of Neptune, and an upgraded modified moment, called the intensity-square-weighted centroiding method, is applied to determine the centroids of the stars and Triton. A total of 2299 positions of Triton were obtained, including 263 new observed positions and 2036 updated observed positions. Such five-year time span data with high precision will be very helpful to improve the orbit parameters of Triton.
2889. Post-common-envelope PN and mol. mass
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/658/A17
Title:
Post-common-envelope PN and mol. mass
Short Name:
J/A+A/658/A17
Date:
21 Mar 2022 09:39:31
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
Most planetary nebulae (PNe) show beautiful, axisymmetric morphologies despite their progenitor stars being essentially spherical. Close binarity is widely invoked to help eject an axisymmetric nebula, after a brief phase of engulfment of the secondary within the envelope of the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) star, known as the common envelope (CE). The evolution of the AGB would thus be interrupted abruptly, its still quite massive envelope being rapidly ejected to form the PN, which a priori would be more massive than a PN coming from the same star, were it single. We aim at testing this hypothesis by investigating the ionised and molecular masses of a sample consisting of 21 post-CE PNe, roughly one fifth of the known total population of these objects, and comparing them to a large sample of 'regular' (i.e. not known to arise from close-binary systems) PNe. We have gathered data on the ionised and molecular content of our sample from the literature, and carried out molecular observations of several previously unobserved objects. We derive the ionised and molecular masses of the sample by means of a systematic approach, using tabulated, dereddened H-beta fluxes for finding the ionised mass, and ^12^CO J=2-1 and J=3-2 observations for estimating the molecular mass. There is a general lack of molecular content in post-CE PNe. Our observations only reveal molecule-rich gas around NGC 6778, distributed into a low-mass, expanding equatorial ring lying beyond the ionised broken ring previously observed in this nebula. The only two other objects showing molecular content (from the literature) are NGC 2346 and NGC 7293. Once we derive the ionised and molecular masses, we find that post-CE PNe arising from Single-Degenerate (SD) systems are just as massive, on average, as the 'regular' PNe sample, whereas post-CE PNe arising from Double-Degenerate (DD) systems are considerably more massive, and show substantially larger linear momenta and kinetic energy than SD systems and `regular' PNe. Reconstruction of the CE of four objects, for which a wealth of data on the nebulae and complete orbital parameters are available, further suggests that the mass of SD nebulae actually amounts to a very small fraction of the envelope of their progenitor stars. This leads to the uncomfortable question of where the rest of the envelope is and why we cannot detect it in the stars' vicinity, thus raising serious doubts on our understanding of these intriguing objects.
2890. Post-merger cluster A2255 membership
ID:
ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/794/31
Title:
Post-merger cluster A2255 membership
Short Name:
J/ApJ/794/31
Date:
21 Oct 2021
Publisher:
CDS
Description:
The effects of dense environments on normal field galaxies are still up for debate despite much study since Abell published his catalog of nearby clusters in 1958 (1958ApJS....3..211A). There are changes in color, morphology, and star formation properties when galaxies fall into groups and clusters, but the specifics of how and where these modifications occur are not fully understood. To look for answers, we focused on star-forming galaxies in A2255, an unrelaxed cluster thought to have recently experienced a merger with another cluster or large group. We used H{alpha}, MIPS 24 {mu}m, and WISE 22 {mu}m to estimate total star formation rates (SFRs) and Sloan Digital Sky Survey photometry to find stellar masses (M_*_) for galaxies out to ~5 r_200_. We compared the star-forming cluster galaxies with the field SFR-mass distribution and found no enhancement or suppression of star formation in currently star-forming galaxies of high mass (log(M_*_/M_{sun}_)>~10). This conclusion holds out to very large distances from the cluster center. However, the core (r_proj_<3 Mpc) has a much lower fraction of star-forming galaxies than anywhere else in the cluster. These results indicate that for the mass range studied here, the majority of the star formation suppression occurs in the core on relatively short timescales, without any enhancement prior to entering the central region. If any significant enhancement or quenching of star formation occurs, it will be in galaxies of lower mass (log(M_*_/M_{sun}_)<10).