16983032
Optical and radio variability of the BL Lacertae object AO 0235+16: A possible 5-6 year periodicity
The BL Lacertae object AO 0235+16 is well known for its extreme optical and radio variability. New optical and radio data have been collected in the last four years by a wide international collaboration, which conrm the intense activity of this source: on the long term, overall variations of 5 mag in the R band and up to a factor 18 in the radio fluxes were detected, while short-term variability up to 0:5 mag in a few hours and 1: 3m ag in one day was observed in the optical band. The optical data also include the results of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) rst-light campaign organized in November 1997, involving a dozen optical observatories. The optical spectrum is observed to basically steepen when the source gets fainter. We have investigated the existence of typical variability time scales and of possible correlations between the optical and radio emissions by means of visual inspection and Discrete Correlation Function (DCF) analysis. On the long term, the autocorrelation function of the optical data shows a double-peaked maximum at 4100{4200 days (11:2{11:5 years), while a double-peaked maximum at 3900{4200 days (10:7{11:5 years) is visible in the radio autocorrelation functions. The existence of this similar characteristic time scale of variability in the two bands is by itself an indication of optical-radio correlation. A further analysis by means of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) technique and folded light curves reveals that the major radio outbursts repeat quasi-regularly with a periodicity of5:7 years, i.e. half the above time scale. This period is also in agreement with the occurrence of some of the major optical outbursts, but not all of them. Visual inspection and DCF analysis of the optical and radio light curves then reveal that in some cases optical outbursts seem to be simultaneous with radio ones, but in other cases they lead the radio events. Moreover, a deep inspection of the radio light curves suggests that in at least two occasions (the 1992{1993 and 1998 outbursts) flux variations at the higher frequencies may have led those at the lower ones.
11077788
A GRB Follow-up System at the Xinglong Observatory and Detection of the High-Redshift GRB 060927 ⋆
A gamma-ray burst (GRB) optical photometric follow-up system at the Xinglong Observatory of National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC) has been constructed. It uses the 0.8-m Tsinghua-NAOC Telescope (TNT) and the 1-m EST telescope, and can automatically respond to GRB Coordinates Network (GCN) alerts. Both telescopes slew relatively fast, being able to point to a new target field within ~1 min upon a request. Whenever available, the 2.16-m NAOC telescope is also used. In 2006 the system responded to 15 GRBs and detected seven early afterglows. In 2007 six GRBs have been detected among 18 follow-up observations. TNT observations of the second most distant GRB 060927 (z = 5.5) are shown, which started as early as 91 s after the GRB trigger. The afterglow was detected in the combined image of the first 19×20 s unfiltered exposures. This GRB follow-up system has joined the East-Asia GRB Follow-up Observation Network (EAFON).
95137172
Soft x-ray imaging and spectroscopy of single nanocrystals
Resonant photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) at the Fe L3,2 absorption edge was utilized to image single γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystals of 10 nm average diameter (∼20 000 Fe atoms) and to record soft x-ray absorption spectra of individual particles. Within the spectral resolution of the experiment, no damage to the individual nanoparticles occurs during repeated, prolonged exposure to the intense x-ray beam. Furthermore, no differences in the position or shape of the soft x-ray absorption spectrum of a single nanocrystal and the ensemble are observed within the experimental resolution. PEEM contrast images and soft x-ray absorption spectra, however, show strong intensity variations between different particles reflecting the size distribution of the sample. This proof-of-principle experiment successfully demonstrates the applicability of x-ray spectromicroscopy to the study of nanoscale systems on a hitherto unachieved length scale.
14732557
Very early multi-color observations of the plateau phase of GRB 041006 afterglow
Observations of the optical afterglow of GRB 041006 with the Kiso Observatory 1.05 m Schmidt telescope, the Lulin Observatory 1.0 m telescope and the Xinglong Observatory 0.6 m telescope. Three-bands (B, V and R) of photometric data points were obtained on 2004 October 6, 0.025−0.329 days after the burst. These very early multi band light curves imply the existence of a color dependent plateau phase. The B-band light curve shows a clear plateau at around 0.03 days after the burst. The R band light curve shows the hint of a plateau, or a possible slope change, at around 0.1 days after the burst. The overall behavior of these multi-band light curves may be interpreted in terms of the sum of two separate components, one showing a monotonic decay the other exhibiting a rising and a falling phase, as described by the standard afterglow model. Department of Physics, Saitama University, Shimo-Okubo, Saitama, 338-8570, Japan RIKEN (Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan Institute of Astronomy, National Central University, Chung-Li 32054, Taiwan, Republic of China National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012, China Institute of Astronomy, University of Tokyo, 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0015, Japan Kiso Observatory, Institute of Astronomy, The University of Tokyo, Mitake-mura, Kiso-gun, Nagano 397-0101, Japan Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute, Tashkent 700052, Uzbekistan Space Research Institute, 84/32 Profsoyuznaya Str, Moscow 117997, Russia Department of Physics, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
13913450
Ten Overdensities and an Arc Structure in the Galactic Halo
Aims. We use Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR5 photometric data to explore the structure of the Galaxy halo and hope to discover new companions or substructures which may reveal the forming history of the halo. Methods. We study overdensities in a sky area where � = 120 ◦ � 270 ◦ and � = 25 ◦ � 70 ◦ and pick out ten overdensity areas by comparing color-magnitude diagrams with known globular clusters or dwarf spheroidal galaxies. An automatic template matching method is developed to fit the color-magnitude diagram for ea ch overdensities with a suitable stellar evolution isochro nic line so that distance module and metalicity are roughly estimated. The performance test of the method indicates that our estimates on distance is acceptable. Results. The 10 overdensities and three known objects, UMa I, UMa II and Willman 1 are found to be connected with a long arc substructure starts from � 8kpc above the disk and spread to � 150kpc into north galactic cap. Evidence also shows a relationship between metalicities and distance modules of the overdensities. Conclusions. C7, one of the 10 overdensities is most likely a dwarf spheroidal galaxy according to radial density profile study and its absolute magnitude. Other overdensties are not classifi ed for poor information. The arc structure may either be a long tidal stream or be an intrinsic substructure of the halo. Follow-up study need to be done to clarify this problem.
119755058
Relativistic Hartree-Fock model with short range correlation in nuclear matter
We introduce the form factor and short range correlation in the relativistic Hartree-Fock approximation (RHFU) to study the properties of nuclear matter. We treat the short range correlation with the unitary correlation operator method (UCOM). In this framework, we can perfectly reproduce the equation of state of pure neutron matter obtained by the relativistic Brueckner-Hartree-Fock theory with the Bonn potential. We apply the RHFU model to symmetric nuclear matter. The contribution of ρ meson is cut down largely by the form factor of the size in the realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction. The short range correlation has a significant effect on the Fock energies of pion and ρ meson exchange interaction.
118454051
Investigation of excited states in $^{18}$Ne via resonant elastic scattering of $^{17}$F+p and its astrophysical implication in the stellar reaction of $^{14}$O($\alpha$,$p$)$^{17}$F
Properties of proton resonances in $^{18}$Ne have been investigated efficiently by utilizing a technique of proton resonant elastic scattering with a $^{17}$F radioactive ion (RI) beam and a thick proton target. A 4.22~MeV/nucleon $^{17}$F RI beam was produced via a projectile-fragmentation reaction, and subsequently separated by a Radioactive Ion Beam Line in Lanzhou ({\tt RIBLL}). Energy spectra of the recoiled protons were measured by two sets of $\Delta$E-E silicon telescope at center-of-mass scattering angles of $\theta_{c.m.}$$\approx$175${^\circ}$$\pm$5${^\circ}$, $\theta_{c.m.}$$\approx$152${^\circ}$$\pm$8${^\circ}$, respectively. Several proton resonances in $^{18}$Ne were observed, and their resonant parameters have been determined by an $R$-matrix analysis of the differential cross sections in combination with the previous results. The resonant parameters are related to the reaction-rate calculation of the stellar $^{14}$O($\alpha$,$p$)$^{17}$F reaction, which was thought to be the breakout reaction from the hot CNO cycles into the $rp$-process in x-ray bursters. Here, $J^\pi$=(3$^-$, 2$^-$) are tentatively assigned to the 6.15-MeV state which was thought the key 1$^-$ state previously. In addition, a doublet structure at 7.05 MeV are tentatively identified, and its contribution to the resonant reaction rate of $^{14}$O($\alpha$,$p$)$^{17}$F could be enhanced by at least factors of about 4$\sim$6 in comparison with the previous estimation involving only a singlet. The present calculated resonant rates are much larger than those previous values, and it may imply that this breakout reaction could play a crucial role under x-ray bursters conditions.
17422276
1RXS J232953.9+062814: a New SU UMa Dwarf Nova below the Period Minimum
1RXS J232953.9+062814 was identified as a cataclysmic variable by Wei et al. (1999). Four low-resolution spectra of 1RXS J232953.9+062814 were obtained with the 2.16-m telescope of the National Astronomical Observatories, of which two were at outburst, and two were at quiescence. The system is about 16.8 B and 16.5 V at quiescence, and 12.6 B and 12.6 V at outburst. The quiescent spectra were dominated by double-peaked Balmer emissions, which indicates a hydrogen-rich system with a high-inclination accretion disc. MgH and TiO absorption bands appeared in the quiescent spectrum which implies a companion with a spectral type of early M dwarf. If we take it as an M0 dwarf, then the system is located at a distance of 350 pc with a proper motion velocity 150 km s -1 . The superhump period of 0.046311 days was confirmed by our V photometry. The short period and the hydrogen-rich nature reveal that this system is another SU Ursae Majoris-type dwarf nova below the period minimum after V485 Centauri. 1RXS J232953.9+062814 is one of the most important systems for studying the evolutionary scenario of cataclysmic variables since it is much brighter than V485 Cen.
16379990
A high peculiarity rate for Type Ia SNe
We have compiled a sample of 90 SNe Ia from 1997 to 1999 (up to SN 1999da) and studied the peculiarity rate of SN 1991T, SN 1991bg and SN 1986G-like objects. A Monte Carlo code was written to study the observational biases involved in the evaluation of the intrinsic peculiarity rate of SNe Ia. We find that SNe Ia have a high peculiarity rate (>30%) and a flat luminosity function.
1567381
The structure of the Galactic halo : SDSS versus SuperCOSMOS
The halo structure at high Galactic latitudes near both the north and south poles is studied using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and SuperCOSMOS data. For the south cap halo, the archive of the SuperCOSMOS photographic photometry sky survey is used. The coincident source rate between SuperCOSMOS data in B J band from 16.5 to 20.5 mag and SDSS data is about 92 per cent, in a common sky area in the south. While that in the R F band is about 85 per cent from 16.5 to 19.5 mag. Transformed to the SuperCOSMOS system and downgraded to the limiting magnitudes of SuperCOSMOS, the star counts in the North Galactic Cap from SDSS show up to an 16.9±6.3 per cent asymmetric ratio (defined as relative fluctuations over the rotational symmetry structure) in the B J band, and up to 13.5 ± 6.7 per cent asymmetric ratio in the R F band. From SuperCOSMOS Bj and R F bands, the structure of the Southern Galactic hemisphere does not show the same obvious asymmetric structures as the northern sky does in both the original and downgraded SDSS star counts. An axisymmetric halo model with n = 2.8 and q = 0.7 can fit the projected number density from SuperCOSMOS fairly well, with an average error of about 9.17 per cent. By careful analysis of the difference of star counts between the downgraded SDSS northern halo data and SuperCOSMOS southern halo data, it is shown that no asymmetry can be detected in the South Galactic Cap at the accuracy of SuperCOSMOS, and the Virgo overdensity is likely a foreign component in the Galactic halo.
15020605
The type Ia supernova 1997br in ESO 576-G40
The peculiar type Ia supernova SN 1997br in ESO 576-G40 was extensively observed at Beijing Astronomical Observatory and Lick Observatory. In this paper, we present and discuss the BVRI photometry and the spectra collected over 3 months, beginning 9 days before maximum brightness. The light curves of SN 1997br are similar to those of SN 1991T, with slow decline rates after the B maximum. Well-sampled data before the B maximum show unambiguously that SN 1997br rises more slowly and has a wider peak than normal type Ia supernovae. The optical color evolution of SN 1997br is also similar to that of SN 1991T. We estimate the extinction of SN 1997br to be E(B-V) = 0.35 ± 0.10 mag by comparing its BVRI light curves with those of SN 1991T and by measuring the equivalent width of interstellar Na I D absorption lines. We have conducted a thorough comparison of the spectroscopic evolution of SN 1997br, SN 1991T, and SN 1994D. Although SN 1997br is generally very similar to SN 1991T, it shows some interesting differences at various epochs. Spectra of SN 1997br seem to indicate an earlier transition to the dominant phase of Fe-peak elements after the B maximum. Si II lines in SN 1997br show a very short duration after the B maximum. We discuss the implications of our observations of SN 1997br for models of type Ia supernovae. Specifically, we suggest that some SNe Ia may result from decelerated detonations of white dwarfs.