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.
19294821
The distribution of water in the high-mass star-forming region NGC 6334 I
Aims: We present observations of twelve rotational transitions of H_216O, H_218O, and H_217O toward the massive star-forming region NGC 6334 I, carried out with Herschel/HIFI as part of the guaranteed time key program Chemical HErschel Surveys of Star forming regions (CHESS). We analyze these observations to obtain insights into physical processes in this region. Methods: We identify three main gas components (hot core, cold foreground, and outflow) in NGC 6334 I and derive the physical conditions in these components. Results: The hot core, identified by the emission in highly excited lines, shows a high excitation temperature of ~200 K, whereas water in the foreground component is predominantly in the ortho- and para- ground states. The abundance of water varies between 4 × 10-5 (outflow) and 10-8 (cold foreground gas). This variation is most likely due to the freeze-out of water molecules onto dust grains. The H_218O/H_217O abundance ratio is 3.2, which is consistent with the 18O/17O ratio determined from CO isotopologues. The ortho/para ratio in water appears to be relatively low (1.6±1) in the cold, quiescent gas, but close to the equilibrium value of three in the warmer outflow material (2.5±0.8). Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.Figures 1, 2 and 3 and Tables 2-4 (pages 5 to 6) are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
119411598
Hands-On TAROT: Intercontinental use of the TAROT for Education and Public Outreach
The TAROT telescope has for primary goal the search for the prompt optical counterpart of Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts. It is a completely autonomous 25cm telescope installed near Nice (France), able to point any location of the sky within 1-2 seconds. The control, scheduling, and data processing activities are completely automated, so the instrument is completely autonomous. In addition to its un-manned modes, we added recently the possibility to remotely control the telescope, as a request of the "Hands-On Universe" (HOU) program for exchange of time within automatic telescopes for the education and public outreach. To this purpose we developed a simple control interface. A webcam was installed to visualize the telescope. Access to the data is possible through a web interface. The images can be processed by the HOU software, a program specially suited for use within the classroom. We experienced these feature during the open days of the University of California Berkeley and the Astronomy Festival of Fleurance (France). We plan a regular use for an astronomy course of the Museum of Tokyo, as well as for French schools. Not only does Hands-On TAROT gives the general public an access to professional astronomy, but it is also a more general tool to demonstrate the use of a complex automated system, the techniques of data processing and automation. Last but not least, through the use of telescopes located in many countries over the globe, a form of powerful and genuine cooperation between teachers and children from various countries is promoted, with a clear educational goal.
15637695
Observational constraints on the afterglow of GRB 020531
We present the data acquired by the TAROT automated observatory on the afterglow of GRB 020531. Up to now, no convincing afterglow emission has been reported for this short/hard GRB at any wavelength, including X-ray and optical. The combination of our early limits, with other published data allows us to put severe constraints on the afterglow magnitude and light curve. The limiting magnitude is 18.5 in R band, 88 min after the GRB, and the decay slope power law index could be larger than 2.2.
119101179
The methanol lines and hot core of OMC2-FIR4, an intermediate-mass protostar, with Herschel/HIFI*
In contrast with numerous studies on the physical and chemical structure of low- and high-mass protostars, much less is known about their intermediate-mass counterparts, a class of objects that could help to elucidate the mechanisms of star formation on both ends of the mass range. We present the first results from a rich HIFI spectral dataset on an intermediate-mass protostar, OMC2-FIR4, obtained in the CHESS (Chemical HErschel Survey of Star forming regions) key programme. The more than 100 methanol lines detected between 554 and 961 GHz cover a range in upper level energy of 40 to 540 K. Our physical interpretation focusses on the hot core, but likely the cold envelope and shocked regions also play a role in reality, because an analysis of the line profiles suggests the presence of multiple emission components. An upper limit of 10^(-6) is placed on the methanol abundance in the hot core, using a population diagram, large-scale source model and other considerations. This value is consistent with abundances previously seen in low-mass hot cores. Furthermore, the highest energy lines at the highest frequencies display asymmetric profiles, which may arise from infall around the hot core.
18463726
Odin observations of water in molecular outflows and shocks
Aims: We investigate the ortho-water abundance in outflows and shocks in order to improve our knowledge of shock chemistry and of the physics behind molecular outflows. 
Methods: We used the Odin space observatory to observe the H2O(110-101) line. We obtain strip maps and single pointings of 13 outflows and two supernova remnants where we report detections for eight sources. We used RADEX to compute the beam averaged abundances of o-H2O relative to H2. In the case of non-detection, we derive upper limits on the abundance. 
Results: Observations of CO emission from the literature show that the volume density of H2 can vary to a large extent, a parameter that puts severe uncertainties on the derived abundances. Our analysis shows a wide range of abundances reflecting the degree to which shock chemistry affects the formation and destruction of water. We also compare our results with recent results from the SWAS team. 
Conclusions: Elevated abundances of ortho-water are found in several sources. The abundance reaches values as high as what would be expected from a theoretical C-type shock where all oxygen, not in the form of CO, is converted to water. However, the high abundances we derive could also be due to the low densities (derived from CO observations) that we assume. The water emission may in reality stem from high density regions much smaller than the Odin beam. We do not find any relationship between the abundance and the mass loss rate. On the other hand, there is a relation between the derived water abundance and the observed maximum outflow velocity. 
 
Odin is a Swedish-led satellite project funded jointly by the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes) and Centre National d'Etude Spatiale (CNES). 
 
The Swedish ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST) located at La Silla, Chile was funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and the European Southern Observatory. It was decommissioned in 2003. Appendix B is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
121888778
On the nature of the nonsymmetric field theory
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.
118920862
Cosmological implications of the unified field theory.
121340458
Some cosmological solutions of a scalar-tensor theory of gravitation
Some cosmological solutions of the scalar-tensor theory of gravitation are derived. The results differ from Friedmann and Brans-Dicke cosmologies, though not sufficiently to enable an immediate decision between these theories to be made. In the case of the solar system the new theory is a special case of theories discussed by Bergmann and Wagoner.
119929847
The nonsymmetric unified field theory
This paper reviews the recent progress in the nonsymmetric unified field theory of Einstein and Straus and its current status as a theory of macrophysics of gravitation and electromagnetism.