15067001
The Hubble Constant from the HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale
The final efforts of the HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale are presented. Four distance indicators, the Surface Brightness Fluctuation method, the Fundamental Plane for early-type galaxies, the Tully-Fisher relation and the Type Ia Supernovae, are calibrated using Cepheid distances to galaxies within 25 Mpc. The calibration is then applied to distant samples reaching cz~10000 km/s and (in the case of SNIa) beyond. By combining the constraints imposed on the Hubble constant by the four distance indicators, we obtain H0 = 71+/-6 km/s/Mpc.
119377823
The Hubble Space Telescope Extragalactic Distance Scale Key Project. XXIII. The Discovery of Cepheids in NGC 3319
The distance to NGC 3319 has been determined from Cepheid variable stars as part of the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale. Thirteen and four epochs of observations, using filters F555W (V) and F814W (I), respectively, were made with the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. Thirty-three Cepheid variables between periods of 8 and 47 days were discovered. Adopting a Large Magellanic Cloud distance modulus of 18.50 ± 0.10 mag and extinction of E(V-I) = 0.13 mag, a true reddening-corrected distance modulus (based on an analysis employing the ALLFRAME software package) of 30.78 ± 0.14 (random) ± 0.10 (systematic) mag and the extinction of E(V-I) = 0.06 mag were determined for NGC 3319. This galaxy is the last galaxy observed for the HST H0 Key Project.
119352682
The Extragalactic Distance Scale Key Project. XVIII. The Discovery of Cepheids and a New Distance to NGC 4535 Using the Hubble Space Telescope
We report on the discovery of Cepheids in the Virgo spiral galaxy NGC 4535, based on observations made with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NGC 4535 is one of 18 galaxies observed as a part of The HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale, which aims to measure the Hubble constant to 10% accuracy. NGC 4535 was observed over 13 epochs using the F555W filter, and over 9 epochs using the F814W filter. The HST F555W and F814W data were transformed to the Johnson V and Kron-Cousins I magnitude systems, respectively. Photometry was performed using two independent programs, DoPHOT and DAOPHOT II/ALLFRAME. Period-luminosity relations in the V and I bands were constructed using 39 high-quality Cepheids present in our set of 50 variable candidates. We obtain a distance modulus of 31.02 ± 0.26 mag, corresponding to a distance of 16.0 ± 1.9 Mpc. Our distance estimate is based on values of μ0 = 18.50 ± 0.10 mag and E(V-I) = 0.13 mag for the distance modulus and reddening of the LMC, respectively.
118970559
A Database of Cepheid Distance Moduli and TRGB, GCLF, PNLF and SBF Data Useful for Distance Determinations
We present a compilation of Cepheid distance moduli and data for four secondary distance indicators that employ stars in the old stellar populations: the planetary nebula luminosity function (PNLF), the globular cluster luminosity function (GCLF), the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB), and the surface brightness fluctuation (SBF) method. The database includes all data published as of July 15, 1999. The main strength of this compilation resides in all data being on a consistent and homogeneous system: all Cepheid distances are derived using the same calibration of the period-luminosity relation, the treatment of errors is consistent for all indicators, measurements which are not considered reliable are excluded. As such, the database is ideal for inter-comparing any of the distance indicators considered, or for deriving a Cepheid calibration to any secondary distance indicator. Specifically, the database includes: 1) Cepheid distances, extinctions and metallicities; 2) apparent magnitudes of the PNLF cutoff; 3) apparent magnitudes and colors of the turnover of the GCLF (both in the V- and B-bands); 4) apparent magnitudes of the TRGB (in the I-band) and V-I colors at and 0.5 magnitudes fainter than the TRGB; 5) apparent surface brightness fluctuation magnitudes I, K', K_short, and using the F814W filter with the HST/WFPC2. In addition, for every galaxy in the database we give reddening estimates from DIRBE/IRAS as well as HI maps, J2000 coordinates, Hubble and T-type morphological classification, apparent total magnitude in B, and systemic velocity. (Abridged)
123113862
The Hubble Space Telescope Extragalactic Distance Scale Key Project. 1: The discovery of Cepheids and a new distance to M81
204935980
The HST Key Project on the Extragalactic Distance Scale XII. The Discovery of Cepheids and a New Distance to NGC 2541
We report the detection of Cepheids and a new distance to the spiral galaxy NGC 2541, based on data obtained with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). A total of 25 exposures (divided into 13 epochs) are obtained using the F555W filter (transformed to Johnson V), and nine exposures (divided into five epochs) using the F814W filter (transformed to Cousins I). Photometric reduction of the data is performed using two independent packages, DoPHOT and DAOPHOT II/ALLFRAME, which give very good agreement in the measured magnitudes. A total of 34 bona fide Cepheids, with periods ranging from 12 to over 60 days, are identified based on both sets of photometry. By fitting V and I period-luminosity relations, apparent distance moduli are derived assuming a Large Magellanic Cloud distance modulus and mean color excess of 18.50 +/- 0.10 mag and E(B-V) = 0.10 mag respectively. Adopting A(V)/E(V-I)=2.45, we obtain a true distance modulus to NGC 2541 of 30.47 +/- 0.11 (random) +/- 0.12 (systematic) mag (D = 12.4 +/- 0.6 (random) +/- 0.7 (systematic) Mpc), and a total (Galactic plus internal) mean color excess E(B-V) = 0.08 +/- 0.05 (internal error) mag.
40561350
Determining the Hubble constant from gravitational wave observations of merging compact binaries
Recent observations have accumulated compelling evidence that some short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) are associated with the mergers of neutron star (NS) binaries. This would indicate that the SGRB event is associated with a gravitational-wave (GW) signal corresponding to the final inspiral of the compact binary. In addition, the radioactive decay of elements produced in NS binary mergers may result in transients visible in the optical and infrared with peak luminosities on hours-days timescales. Simultaneous observations of the inspiral GWs and signatures in the electromagnetic band may allow us to directly and independently determine both the luminosity distance and redshift to a binary. These standard sirens (the GW analog of standard candles) have the potential to provide an accurate measurement of the low-redshift Hubble flow. In addition, these systems are absolutely calibrated by general relativity, and therefore do not experience the same set of astrophysical systematics found in traditional standard candles, nor do the measurements rely on a distance ladder. We show that 15 observable GW and EM events should allow the Hubble constant to be measured with 5% precision using a network of detectors that includes advanced LIGO and Virgo. Measuring 30 beamed GW-SGRB events could constrain H_0 to better than 1%. When comparing to standard Gaussian likelihood analysis, we find that each event's non-Gaussian posterior in H_0 helps reduce the overall measurement errors in H_0 for an ensemble of NS binary mergers.
321217
Binary pulsar constraints on the parametrized post-Einsteinian framework
We constrain the parameterized post-Einsteinian framework with binary pulsar observations of orbital period decay due to gravitational wave emission. This framework proposes to enhance the amplitude and phase of gravitational waveform templates through post-Einsteinian parameters to search for generic deviations from general relativity in gravitational wave data. Such enhancements interpolate between general relativity and alternative theory predictions, but their magnitude must be such as to satisfy all current experiments and observations. The data that currently constrains the parameterized post-Einsteinian framework the most is the orbital period decay of binary pulsars. We use such observations to bound the magnitude of post-Einsteinian parameters, which will be critical when gravitational waves are detected and this framework is implemented.
17956123
Gravitational radiation reaction and inspiral waveforms in the adiabatic limit.
We describe progress evolving an important limit of binaries in general relativity: stellar mass compact objects spiraling into much larger black holes. Such systems are of great observational interest. We have developed tools to compute for the first time the radiation from generic orbits. Using global conservation laws, we find the orbital evolution and waveforms for special cases. For generic orbits, inspirals and waveforms can be found by augmenting our approach with an adiabatic self-force rule due to Mino. Such waveforms should be accurate enough for gravitational-wave searches.
53577362
Confusion background from compact binaries
Double neutron stars are one of the most promizing sources for terrestrial gravitational wave interferometers. For actual interferometers and their planned upgrades, the probability of having a signal present in the data is small, but as the sensitivity improves, the detection rate increases and the waveforms may start to overlap, creating a confusion background, ultimately limiting the capabilities of future detectors. The third generation Einstein Telescope, with an horizon of z > 1 and very low frequency seismic wall may be affected by such confusion noise. At a minimum, careful data analysis will be require to separate signals which will appear confused. This result should be borne in mind when designing highly advanced future instruments.
59928909
Observational Limit on Gravitational Waves from Binary Neutron Stars in the Galaxy
Using optimal matched filtering, we search 25 hours of data from the LIGO 40-m prototype laser interferometric gravitational-wave detector for gravitational-wave chirps emitted by coalescing binary systems within our Galaxy. This is the first test of this filtering technique on real interferometric data. An upper limit on the rate R of neutron star binary inspirals in our Galaxy is obtained: with 90% confidence, R<0.5h-1. Similar experiments with LIGO interferometers will provide constraints on the population of tight binary neutron star systems in the Universe.