33144366
Herschel/HIFI observations of spectrally resolved methylidyne signatures toward the high-mass star-forming core NGC 6334I
Context. In contrast to the more extensively studied dense star-forming cores, little is known about diffuse gas surrounding star-forming regions. Aims: We study the molecular gas in the Galactic high-mass star-forming region NGC 6334I, which contains diffuse, quiescent components that are inconspicuous in widely used molecular tracers such as CO. Methods: We present Herschel/HIFI observations of methylidyne (CH) toward NGC 6334I observed as part of the "Chemical HErschel Survey of Star forming regions" (CHESS) key program. HIFI resolves each of the six hyperfine components of the lowest rotational transition (J = 3/2 - 1/2) of CH, observed in both emission and absorption. Results: The CH emission features appear close to the systemic velocity of NGC 6334I, while its measured FWHM linewidth of 3 km s-1 is smaller than previously observed in dense gas tracers such as NH3 and SiO. The CH abundance in the hot core is ~7 × 10-11, two to three orders of magnitude lower than in diffuse clouds. While other studies find distinct outflows in, e.g., CO and H2O toward NGC 6334I, we do not detect any outflow signatures in CH. At least two redshifted components of cold absorbing material must be present at -3.0 and +6.5 km s-1 to explain the absorption signatures. We derive a CH column density (NCH) of 7 × 1013 and 3 × 1013 cm-2 for these two absorbing clouds. We find evidence of two additional absorbing clouds at +8.0 and 0.0 km s-1, both with NCH ≈ 2 × 1013 cm-2. Turbulent linewidths for the four absorption components vary between 1.5 and 5.0 km s-1 in FWHM. We constrain the physical properties and locations of the clouds by matching our CH absorbers with the absorption signatures seen in other molecular tracers. Conclusions: In the hot core, molecules such as H2O and CO trace gas that is heated and dynamically influenced by outflow activity, whereas the CH molecule traces more quiescent material. The four CH absorbing clouds have column densities and turbulent properties that are consistent with those of diffuse clouds: two are located in the direct surroundings of NGC 6334, and two are unrelated foreground clouds. Local density and dynamical effects influence the chemical composition of the physical components of NGC 6334, which causes some components to be seen in CH but not in other tracers, and vice versa. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.Acknowledgements (page 5) are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
118950262
Detection of a very bright optical flare from a gamma-ray burst at redshift 6.29
In this letter we discuss the flux and the behavior of the bright optical flare emission detected by the 25 cm TAROT robotic telescope during the prompt high-energy emission and the early afterglow. We combine our data with simultaneous observations performed in X-rays and we analyze the broad-band spectrum. These observations lead us to emphasize the similarity of GRB 050904 with GRB 990123, a remarkable gamma-ray burst whose optical emission reached 9th magnitude. While GRB 990123 was, until now, considered as a unique event, this observation suggests the existence of a population of GRBs which have very large isotropic equivalent energies and extremely bright optical counterparts. The luminosity of these GRBs is such that they are easily detectable through the entire universe. Since we can detect them to very high redshift even with small aperture telescopes like TAROT, they will constitute powerful tools for the exploration of the high-redshift Universe and might be used to probe the first generation of stars.
117717977
Optically Selected GRB Afterglows, a Real Time Analysis System at the CFHT
We attempt to detect optical GRB afterglows on images taken by the Canada France Hawaii Telescope for the Very Wide survey, component of the Legacy Survey. To do so, a Real Time Analysis System called "Optically Selected GRB Afterglows" has been installed on a dedicated computer in Hawaii. This pipeline automatically and quickly analyzes Megacam images and extracts from them a list of variable objects which is displayed on a web page for validation by a member of the collaboration. The Very Wide survey covers 1200 square degrees down to i'=23.5. This paper briefly explain the RTAS process.
14536809
A multiwavelength study of Swift GRB 060111B constraining the origin of its prompt optical emission
In this work, we present the results obtained from a multi-wavelength campaign, as well as from the public Swift/BAT, XRT, and UVOT data of GRB 060111B for which a bright optical emission was measured with good temporal resolution during the prompt phase. We identified the host galaxy at R~25 mag; its featureless spectral continuum and brightness, as well as the non-detection of any associated supernova 16 days after the trigger and other independent redshift estimates, converge to z~1-2. From the analysis of the early afterglow SED, we find that non-negligible host galaxy dust extinction, in addition to the Galactic one, affects the observed flux in the optical regime. The extinction-corrected optical-to-gamma-ray spectral energy distribution during the prompt emission shows a flux density ratio $F_{\gamma}/F_{opt}$=0.01-0.0001 with spectral index $\beta_{\gamma,opt}> \beta_{\gamma}$, strongly suggesting a separate origin of the optical and gamma-ray components. This result is supported by the lack of correlated behavior in the prompt emission light curves observed in the two energy domains. The properties of the prompt optical emission observed during GRB 060111B favor interpretation of this optical light as radiation from the reverse shock in a thick shell limit and in the slow cooling regime. The expected peak flux is consistent with the observed one corrected for the host extinction, likely indicating that the starting time of the TAROT observations is very near to or coincident with the peak time. The estimated fireball initial Lorentz factor is >260-360 at z=1-2, similar to the Lorentz factors obtained from other GRBs. GRB 060111B is a rare, good test case of the reverse shock emission mechanism in both the X-ray and optical energy ranges.
17272445
The CFHTLS real time analysis system: "optically selected GRB afterglows" Overview and performance
Aims. We describe a deep and wide search for optical GRB afterglows in images taken with MegaCAM at the Canada France Hawaii Telescope, within the framework of the CFHT Legacy Survey. Methods. This search is performed in near real-time thanks to a Real Time Analysis System (RTAS) called ”Optically Selected GRB Afterglows”, which has been installed on a dedicated computer in Hawaii. This pipeline automatically and quickly analyzes Megacam images to construct catalogs of astronomical objects, and compares catalogs made from images taken at different epochs to produce a list of astrometrically and photometrically variable objects. These objects are then displayed on a web page to be characterized by a member of the collaboration. Results. In this paper, we comprehensively describe the RTAS process from image acquisition to the final characterization of vari able sources. We present statistical results based on one full year of oper ation, showing the quality of the images and the performance of the RTAS. The limiting magnitude of our search is r’ =22.5 on average and the observed area amounts to 1178 square degrees. We have detected about 13.10 6 astronomical sources of which about 0.01% are found to vary by more than one tenth of a magnitude. We discuss the performance of our instrumental setup with a sample of simulated afterglows. This sample allows us to compare the effi ciency of our search with previous works, to propose an optimal observational strategy, and to discuss general considerations on the searches for GRB optical afterglows. We postpone to a forthcoming paper the discussion of the characterizati on of variable objects we have found, and a more detailled analysis of the nature of those resembling GRB afterglows. Conclusions. The RTAS has been continuously operating since November 2004. Each month 15-30 square degrees are observed many times over a period of 2-3 nights. The real-time analysis of the data has revealed no convincing afterglow candidate so far.
18597318
Stellar evolution through the ages: period variations in galactic RRab stars as derived from the GEOS database and TAROT telescopes
Context. The theory of stellar evolution can be more closely tested if we have the opportunity to measure new quantities. Nowadays, observations of galactic RR Lyr stars are available on a time baseline exceeding 100 years. Therefore, we can exploit the possibility of investigating period changes, continuing the pioneering work started by V. P. Tsesevich in 1969. Aims. We collected the available times of maximum brightness of the galactic RR Lyr stars in the GEOS RR Lyr database. Moreover, we also started new observational projects, including surveys with automated telescopes, to characterise the O‐C diagrams better. Methods. The database we built has proved to be a very powerful tool for tracing the period variations through the ages. We analyzed 123 stars showing a clear O‐C pattern (constant, parabolic or erratic) by means of different least‐squares methods. Results. Clear evidence of period increases or decreases at constant rates has been found, suggesting evolutionary effects. The median values are �=+0.14 d Myr −1 for the 27 stars showing a period increase and �=‐0.20 d Myr −1 for the 21 stars showing a period decrease. The large number of RR Lyr stars showing a period decrease (i.e., blueward evolution) is a new and intriguing result. There is an excess � � � �
121499433
The field equations of a conformally invariant, scalar-tensor theory
A general, conformally invariant theory of the general relativistic, gravitational field coupled with a scalar field is considered. The field equations of the theory are derived from a variational action principle and also from the assumption of the geodesic motion of test particles. These are shown to be identical. The scalar field is assumed to be a long-range field with the view to establishing a cosmological theory. An upper bound for the background scalar field is estimated.
118183813
A revised nonsymmetric unified field theory.
124396676
A COMMENT ON A CRITICISM OF THE NONSYMMETRIC UNIFIED FIELD THEORY
116472076
Equations of motion in a cylindrical field
The equations of motion of a test particle are derived from the field equations of Einstein's unified field theory in the case when there is a cylindrically symmetric source. An exact form of the equations of motion, corresponding to a particular solution of the field equations, is obtained. (auth)
118556020
The mesotrons of eddington
SummarySome aspects of Eddington’s fundamental theory are reviewed. It is shown that an electrically neutral particle of rest mass close to that of π0-meson can be predicted using a quadruple phase reference frame. An attempt is made to calculate the lifetimes of the π-mesons using an extension of Eddington’s arguments.RiassuntoSi considerano alcuni aspetti della teoria fondamentale di Eddington. Si dimostra che si può prevedere una particella elettricamente neutra con massa a riposo prossima a quella del mesone π0 usando un sistema di riferimento della fase quadruplo. Si tenta di calcolare la vita dei mesoni π con un’estensione degli argomenti di Eddington.РеэюмеЗаново рассматриваются некоторые аспекты фундаментальной теории Эддингтона. Покаэывается, что может быть предскаэана масса покоя злектрически нейтральной частицы, блиэкая к массе π0 меэона, при испольэовании системы отсчета квадруплетной фаэы. Предпринимается попытка вычислить времена жиэни π меэонов, испольэуя обобшение аргументов Эддингтона.