The importance of long-period binaries for the formation and evolution of planetary nebulae is still rather poorly understood, which in part is due to the lack of central star systems that are known ...to comprise such long-period binaries. Here, we report on the latest results from the on-going Mercator-HERMES survey for variability in the central stars of planetary nebulae. We present a study of the central stars of NGC 1514, BD+30°623, the spectrum of which shows features associated with a hot nebular progenitor as well as a possible A-type companion. Cross-correlation of high-resolution HERMES spectra against synthetic spectra shows the system to be a highly eccentric (e ~ 0.5) double-lined binary with a period of ~3300 days. Previous studies indicated that the cool component might be a horizontal branch star of mass ~0.55 M⊙, but the observed radial velocity amplitudes rule out such a low mass. If we assume that the nebular symmetry axis and binary orbital plane are perpendicular, then the data are more consistent with a post-main-sequence star ascending towards the giant branch. We also present the continued monitoring of the central star of LoTr 5, HD 112313, which has now completed one full cycle, allowing the orbital period (P~2700 days) and eccentricity (e ~ 0.3) to be derived. To date, the orbital periods of BD+30°623 and HD 112313 are the longest to have been measured spectroscopically in the central stars of planetary nebulae. Furthermore, these systems, along with BD+33°2642, comprise the only spectroscopic wide-binary central stars currently known.
The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) is one of the three science instruments on ESA's far infrared and submillimetre observatory. It employs two Ge:Ga photoconductor arrays ...(stressed and unstressed) with 16×25 pixels, each, and two filled silicon bolometer arrays with 16×32 and 32×64 pixels, respectively, to perform integral-field spectroscopy and imaging photometry in the 60–210 μm wavelength regime. In photometry mode, it simultaneously images two bands, 60–85 μm or 85–125 μm and 125–210 μm, over a field of view of ~1.75'× 3.5', with close to Nyquist beam sampling in each band. In spectroscopy mode, it images a field of 47” × 47”, resolved into 5×5 pixels, with an instantaneous spectral coverage of ~1500 km s-1 and a spectral resolution of ~175 km s-1. We summarise the design of the instrument, describe observing modes, calibration, and data analysis methods, and present our current assessment of the in-orbit performance of the instrument based on the performance verification tests. PACS is fully operational, and the achieved performance is close to or better than the pre-launch predictions.
Context. Fomalhaut is a young (2 +/- 1 x 10(8) years), nearby (7.7 pc), 2 M-circle dot star that is suspected to harbor an infant planetary system, interspersed with one or more belts of dusty ...debris. Aims. We present far-infrared images obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory with an angular resolution between 5.7 '' and 36.7 '' at wavelengths between 70 mu m and 500 mu m. The images show the main debris belt in great detail. Even at high spatial resolution, the belt appears smooth. The region in between the belt and the central star is not devoid of material; thermal emission is observed here as well. Also at the location of the star, excess emission is detected. We aim to construct a consistent image of the Fomalhaut system. Methods. We use a dynamical model together with radiative-transfer tools to derive the parameters of the debris disk. We include detailed models of the interaction of the dust grains with radiation, for both the radiation pressure and the temperature determination. Comparing these models to the spatially resolved temperature information contained in the images allows us to place strong constraints on the presence of grains that will be blown out of the system by radiation pressure. We use this to derive the dynamical parameters of the system. Results. The appearance of the belt points toward a remarkably active system in which dust grains are produced at a very high rate by a collisional cascade in a narrow region filled with dynamically excited planetesimals. Dust particles with sizes below the blow-out size are abundantly present. The equivalent of 2000 one-km-sized comets are destroyed every day, out of a cometary reservoir amounting to 110 Earth masses. From comparison of their scattering and thermal properties, we find evidence that the dust grains are fluffy aggregates, which indicates a cometary origin. The excess emission at the location of the star may be produced by hot dust with a range of temperatures, but may also be due to gaseous free-free emission from a stellar wind.
A study of the blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy Mrk 996 based on high-resolution optical Very Large Telescope Visible Multi-Object Spectrograph integral field unit spectroscopy is presented. Mrk 996 ...displays multicomponent line emission, with most line profiles consisting of a narrow, central Gaussian full width at half-maximum (FWHM) ∼ 110 km s−1 with an underlying broad component (FWHM ∼ 400 km s−1). The broad H i Balmer component splits into two separate broad components inside a 1.5-arcsec radius from the nucleus; these are attributed to a two-armed minispiral. This spiral-like nucleus rotates in the same sense as the extended narrow line ionized gas but is offset by ∼50 km s−1 from the systemic velocity of the galaxy. The rotation curve of Mrk 996 derived from the Hα narrow component yields a total mass of 5 × 108 M⊙ within a radius of 3 kpc. From the Hα luminosity we infer a global star formation rate of ∼2 M⊙ yr−1. The high excitation energy, high critical density O iiiλ4363 and N iiλ5755 lines are only detected from the inner region and exist purely in broad component form, implying unusual excitation conditions. Surface brightness, radial velocity and FWHM maps for several emission components are presented. A separate physical analysis of the broad and narrow emission line regions is undertaken. We derive an upper limit of 10 000 K for the electron temperature of the narrow line gas, together with an electron density of 170 cm−3, typical of normal H ii regions. For the broad line component, measured O iii and Fe iii diagnostic line ratios are consistent with a temperature of 11 000 K and an electron density of 107 cm−3. The broad line emission regions show N/H and N/O enrichment factors of ∼20 relative to the narrow line regions, but no He/H, O/H, S/H or Ar/H enrichment is inferred. Previous studies indicated that Mrk 996 showed anomalously high N/O ratios compared with BCDs of a similar metallicity. Our multicomponent analysis yields a revised metallicity of ≥0.5 Z⊙ (12 + log O/H = 8.37) for both the narrow and broad gas components, significantly higher than previous studies. As a result the narrow line region's N/O ratio is now typical for the galaxy's metallicity. The narrow line component's N/O ratio peaks outside the core region, spatially correlating with ∼3-Myr-old stellar populations. The dominant line excitation mechanism is photoionization by the ∼3000 Wolf–Rayet stars and ∼150 000 O-type stars estimated to be present in the core. This is indeed a peculiar BCD, with extremely dense zones of gas in the core, through which stellar outflows and possible shock fronts permeate contributing to the excitation of the broad line emission.
We present Gemini‐North GMOS/IFU observations of a young star cluster and its environment near the centre of the dwarf irregular starburst galaxy NGC 1569. This forms part of a larger and ongoing ...study of the formation and collimation mechanisms of galactic winds, including three additional IFU pointings in NGC 1569 covering the base of the galactic wind which are analysed in a companion paper. The good spatial and spectral resolution of these GMOS/IFU observations, covering 4740–6860 Å, allow us to probe the interactions between clusters and their environments on small scales. For cluster 10, we combine the GMOS spectrum with Hubble Space Telescope imaging to derive its properties. We find that it is composed of two very close components with ages of 5–7 Myr and ≤5 Myr, and a combined mass of 7 ± 5 × 103 M⊙. A strong red Wolf–Rayet emission feature confirms our young derived cluster ages. A detailed analysis of the Hα emission‐line profile shapes across the whole field of view shows them to be composed of a bright narrow feature intrinsic full width at half‐maximum (FWHM) ∼50 km s−1 superimposed on a fainter broad component (FWHM ≤300 km s−1). By mapping the properties of each individual component, we investigate the small‐scale structure and properties of the ionized interstellar medium, including reddening, excitation and electron densities, and for the first time find spatial correlations between the line component properties. We discuss in detail the possible mechanisms that could give rise to the two components and these correlations, and conclude that the most likely explanation for the broad emission is that it is produced in a turbulent mixing layer on the surface of the cool gas clumps embedded within the hot, fast‐flowing cluster winds. We discuss implications for the mass‐loading of the flow under these circumstances. The average radial velocity difference between the narrow and broad components is small compared to the linewidths, implying that within the IFU field of view, turbulent motions dominate over large‐scale bulk motions. We are therefore sampling well within the outer bounding shocks of the expanding superbubbles and within the outflow ‘energy injection zone’.
A study of the Type II-P supernova 2003gd in M74 Hendry, M. A.; Smartt, S. J.; Maund, J. R. ...
Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,
20/May , Letnik:
359, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We present photometric and spectroscopic data of the Type II-P supernova (SN II-P) 2003gd, which was discovered in M74 close to the end of its plateau phase. SN 2003gd is the first Type II supernova ...(SN) to have a directly confirmed red supergiant (RSG) progenitor. We compare SN 2003gd to SN 1999em, a similar SN II-P, and estimate an explosion date of 2003 March 18. We determine a reddening towards the SN of E(B−V) = 0.14 ± 0.06, using three different methods. We also calculate three new distances to M74 of 9.6 ± 2.8, 7.7 ± 1.7 and 9.6 ± 2.2 Mpc. The former was estimated using the standard candle method (SCM), for Type II supernovae (SNe II), and the latter two using the brightest supergiants method (BSM). When combined with existing kinematic and BSM distance estimates, we derive a mean value of 9.3 ± 1.8 Mpc. SN 2003gd was found to have a lower tail luminosity compared with other normal Type II-P supernovae (SNe II-P) bringing into question the nature of this SN. We present a discussion concluding that this is a normal SN II-P, which is consistent with the observed progenitor mass of 8+4−2 M⊙.
MESS (Mass-loss of Evolved StarS) is a guaranteed time key program that uses the PACS and SPIRE instruments on board the Herschel space observatory to observe a representative sample of evolved ...stars, that include asymptotic giant branch (AGB) and post-AGB stars, planetary nebulae and red supergiants, as well as luminous blue variables, Wolf-Rayet stars and supernova remnants. In total, of order 150 objects are observed in imaging and about 50 objects inspectroscopy. This paper describes the target selection and target list, and the observing strategy. Key science projects are described, and illustrated using results obtained during Herschel’s science demonstration phase. Aperture photometry is given for the 70 AGB and post-AGB stars observed up to October 17, 2010, which constitutes the largest single uniform database of far-IR and sub-mm fluxes for late-type stars.
Context. CAL 83 is a prototype of the class of Super Soft X-ray Sources (SXS). It is a binary consisting of a low mass secondary that is transferring mass onto a white dwarf primary and is the only ...known SXS surrounded by an ionisation nebula, made up of the interstellar medium (ISM) ionised by the source itself. We study this nebula using integral field spectroscopy. Aims. The study of ionised material can inform us about the source that is responsible for the ionisation, in a way that is complementary to studying the source directly. Since CAL 83 is the only SXS known with an ionisation nebula, we have an opportunity to see if such studies are as useful for SXSs as they have been for other X-ray ionised nebulae. We can use these data to compare to models of how CAL 83 should ionise its surroundings, based on what we know about the source emission spectrum and the physical conditions of the surrounding ISM. Methods. With the VIMOS integral field spectrograph we obtained spectra over a 25 × 25′′ field of view, encompassing one quarter of the nebula. Emission line maps – H i, He II λ4686, OIII λλ4959,5007, NII λλ6548,5683, and SII λλ6716,6731 – are produced in order to study the morphology of the ionised gas. We include CAL 83 on diagrams of various diagnostic ion ratios to compare it to other X-ray ionised sources. Finally we computed some simple models of the ionised gas around CAL 83 and compare the predicted to the observed spectra. Results. CAL 83 appears to have a fairly standard ionisation nebula as far as the morphology goes: the edges where H is recombining are strong in the low stage ionisation lines and the central, clumpy regions are stronger in the higher stage ionisation lines. But the He ii emission is unusual in being confined to one side of CAL 83 rather than being homogeneously distributed as with the other ions. We model the CAL 83 nebula with cloudy using model parameters for SXSs found in the literature. The He ii emission does not fit in with model predictions; in fact none of the models is able to fit the observed spectrum very well. Conclusions. The spectral line images of the region surrounding CAL 83 are revealing and instructive. However, more work on modelling the spectrum of the ionised gas is necessary, and especially for the high-ionisation level emission from CAL 83. In particular, we wish to know if the He ii emission and the other nebular lines are powered by the same ionising source.
The detection of circumstellar water vapour around the ageing carbon star IRC +10216 challenged the current understanding of chemistry in old stars, because water was predicted to be almost absent in ...carbon-rich stars. Several explanations for the water were postulated, including the vaporization of icy bodies (comets or dwarf planets) in orbit around the star, grain surface reactions, and photochemistry in the outer circumstellar envelope. With a single water line detected so far from this one carbon-rich evolved star, it is difficult to discriminate between the different mechanisms proposed. Here we report the detection of dozens of water vapour lines in the far-infrared and sub-millimetre spectrum of IRC +10216 using the Herschel satellite. This includes some high-excitation lines with energies corresponding to ∼1,000 K, which can be explained only if water is present in the warm inner sooty region of the envelope. A plausible explanation for the warm water appears to be the penetration of ultraviolet photons deep into a clumpy circumstellar envelope. This mechanism also triggers the formation of other molecules, such as ammonia, whose observed abundances are much higher than hitherto predicted.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aims. We aim to probe the close and distant circumstellar environments of the stellar outburst object V838 Mon. Methods. Herschel far-infrared imaging and spectroscopy were taken at several epochs to ...probe the central point source and the extended environment of V838 Mon. PACS and SPIRE maps were used to obtain photometry of the dust immediately around V838 Mon, and in the surrounding infrared-bright region. These maps were fitted in 1d and 2d to measure the temperature, mass, and β of the two dust sources. PACS and SPIRE spectra were used to detect emission lines from the extended atmosphere of the star, which were then modelled to study the physical conditions in the emitting material. HIFI spectra were taken to measure the kinematics of the extended atmosphere but unfortunately yielded no detections. Results. Fitting of the far-infrared imaging of V838 Mon reveals 0.5−0.6 M⊙ of ≈19 K dust in the environs (≈2.7 pc) surrounding V838 Mon. The surface-integrated infrared flux (signifying the thermal light echo), and derived dust properties do not vary significantly between the different epochs. We measured the photometry of the point source. As the peak of the SED (Spectral Energy Distribution) lies outside the Herschel spectral range, it is only by incorporating data from other observatories and previous epochs that we can usefully fit the SED; with this we explicitly assume no evolution of the point source between the epochs. We find that warm dust with a temperature ~ 300 K distributed over a radius of 150–200 AU. We fit the far-infrared lines of CO arising from the point source, from an extended environment around V838 Mon. Assuming a model of a spherical shell for this gas, we find that the CO appears to arise from two temperature zones: a cold zone (Tkin ≈ 18 K) that could be associated with the ISM or possibly with a cold layer in the outermost part of the shell, and a warm (Tkin ≈ 400 K) zone that is associated with the extended environment of V838 Mon within a region of radius of ≈210 AU. The SiO lines arise from a warm/hot zone. We did not fit the lines of H2O as they are far more dependent on the model assumed.
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