We studied a cluster family in the northern part of the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) a group of clusters near NGC 3324 (Tr 15, NGC 3293, Loden 165, Loden 153 and IC 2581). We used data from UCAC4 to determine the cluster's membership and the near infrared CMDs of each cluster. We analyzed the spatial density and elongation as a function of radius for each cluster and found a possible interaction between NGC 3293 and Loden153. However, the shape distortion of NGC 3324 cannot be evaluated because of the inhomogenity in the coverage of UCAC4 in the east part of NGC 3324.
We adopt the PASTEL catalog combined with SIMBAD radial velocities as a testing standard to validate the stellar parameters (effective temperature Teff , surface gravity log g, metallicity [Fe=H] and radial velocity Vr) from the first data release (DR1) of The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) survey. After applying data reduction and temperature constraints to the sample obtained by cross-identification, we compare the stellar parameters from DR1 and PASTEL. The results show that the DR1 results are reliable under certain conditions. We derive a dispersion of 110 K, 0.19 dex, 0.11 dex and 4.91 kms-1 in specified effective temperature ranges, for Teff , log g, [Fe=H] and Vr respectively. Systematic errors are negligible except for those of Vr. In addition, for stars with PASTEL [Fe=H] < —1.5, the metallicities in DR1 are systematically higher than those in PASTEL.
Within the context of the hugely successful SAGE-LMC and SAGE-SMC surveys, Spitzer photometry observations of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds have revealed millions of infrared point sources in each galaxy. The brightest infrared sources are generally dust producing and mass-losing evolved stars, and several tens of thousands of such stars have been classified. After photometrically classifying these objects, the dust production by several kinds of evolved stars - such as Asymptotic Giant Branch stars and Red Supergiants - can be determined. SAGE-Spec is the spectroscopic follow-up to the SAGE-LMC survey, and it has obtained Spitzer-IRS 5-40 μm spectroscopy of about 200 sources in the LMC. Combined with archival data from other programs, observations at a total of ~1000 pointings have been obtained in the LMC, while ~250 IRS pointings were observed in the SMC. Of these, a few hundred pointings represent dust producing and mass-losing evolved stars, covering a range in colors, luminosities, and thus mass-loss rates. Red Supergiants and O-rich and C-rich AGB stars - the main dust producers - are well represented in the spectroscopic sample. This paper will summarize what we know about the mineralogy of dust producing evolved stars, and discuss their relative importance in the total dust budget.
Most of the stars in the Galaxy are in binary systems. Binaries should be possible as the hosting stars of planets. Searching for planetary companions to binaries, especially evolved close binary stars, can provide insight into the formation and the ultimate fate of circumbinary planets and shed light on the late evolution of binary stars. In order to do this, we have chosen some post common envelope binaries including sdB-type eclipsing binaries and detached WD+dM eclipsing binaries as our targets and monitored them for several years. In this paper, we will present some of our new observations and results for three targets, NSVS 07826147, NSVS14256825 and RR Cae.
This work considers the elliptic restricted three-body problem under effects of radiation of the bigger primary, and an oblate spheroid for the smaller primary to mimic an exoplanetary system with a gas giant planet. Under the in uences of both effects we look for the existence of the triangular equilibrium points and the in uences of the radiation and oblateness on the locations and motion of the points. We set the system in a normalized rotating coordinate system and derive equations of motion for the third infinitesimal object. Our study shows that the effects modify the equilateral/isosceles triangle shape with respect to the primaries. The triangular points also have non-planar motion with period depending on the value of the planet oblateness.
This study deals with the generalization of the Elliptic Restricted Three-Body Problem (ER3BP) by considering the effects of radiation and oblate spheroid primaries. This may illustrate a gas giant exoplanet orbiting its host star with eccentric orbit. In the three dimensional case, this generalization may possess two additional equilibrium points (L6,7, out-of-plane). We determine the existence of L6,7 in ER3BP under the effects of radiation (bigger primary) and oblateness (small primary). We analytically derive the locations of L6;7 and assume initial approximations of (μ-1, ±3A2), where and A2 are the mass parameter and oblateness factor, respectively. The fixed locations are then determined. Our results show that the locations of L6,7 are periodic and affected by A2 and the radiation factor (q1).
In this paper we have examined the linear stability of triangular equilibrium points in the photogravitational restricted three body problem when both primaries are triaxial rigid bodies, the bigger one an oblate spheroid and source of radiation. The orbits about the Lagrangian equilibrium points are important for scientific investigation. A number of space missions have been completed and some are being proposed by various space agencies. We analyze the periodic motion in the neighbourhood of the Lagrangian equilibrium points as a function of the value of the mass parameter. Periodic orbits of an infinitesimal mass in the vicinity of the equilibrium points are studied analytically and numerically. The linear stability of triangular equilibrium points in the photogravitational restricted three body problem with Poynting- Robertson drag when both primaries are oblate spheroids has been examined by A. Kumar (2007). We have found the equations of motion and triangular equilibrium points for our problem. With the help of the characteristic equation we have discussed stability conditions. Finally, triangular equilibrium points are stable in the linear sense. It is further seen that the triangular points have long or short periodic elliptical orbits in the same range of μ.
If the present universe is slightly open then pre-in ation curvature would appear as a cosmic dark-flow component of the CMB dipole moment. We summarize current cosmological constraints on this cosmic dark ow and analyze the possible constraints on parameters characterizing the pre-in ating universe in an in ation model with a present-day very slightly open ΛCDM cosmology. We employ an analytic model to show that for a broad class of in ation-generating effective potentials, the simple requirement that the observed dipole moment represents the pre-in ation curvature as it enters the horizon allows one to set upper and lower limits on the magnitude and wavelength scale of pre-in ation uctuations in the in aton field and the curvature parameter of the pre-in ation universe, as a function of the fraction of the total initial energy density in the in aton field. We estimate that if the current CMB dipole is a universal dark flow (or if it is near the upper limit set by the Planck Collaboration) then the present constraints on ΛCDM cosmological parameters imply rather small curvature Ωk ~ 0:1 for the pre-in ating universe for a broad range of the fraction of the total energy in the in aton field at the onset of in ation. Such small pre-in ation curvature might be indicative of open-in ation models in which there are two epochs of in ation.
We consider a late decaying dark matter model in which cold dark matter begins to decay into relativistic particles at a recent epoch (z ≤ 1). A complete set of Boltzmann equations for dark matter and other relevant particles particles is derived, which is necessary to calculate the evolution of the energy density and density perturbations. We show that the large entropy production and associated bulk viscosity from such decays leads to a recently accelerating cosmology consistent with observations. We determine the constraints on the decaying dark matter model with bulk viscosity by using a MCMC method combined with observational data of the CMB and type Ia supernovae.
Determining the absolute neutrino mass scale and the neutrino mass hierarchy are central goals in particle physics, with important implications for the Standard Model. However, the final answer may come from cosmology, as laboratory experiments provide measurements for two of the squared mass dif- ferences and a stringent lower bound on the total neutrino mass - but the upper bound is still poorly constrained, even when considering forecasted results from future probes. Cosmological tracers are very sensitive to neutrino properties and their total mass, because massive neutrinos produce a specific redshift- and scale-dependent signature in the power spectrum of the matter and galaxy distributions. Stringent upper limits on P m will be essential for understanding the neutrino sector, and will nicely complement particle physics results. To this end, we describe here a series of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations which include massive neutrinos, specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Baryon Acous- tic Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) and focused on the Lyman-α (Lyα) forest - also a useful theoretical ground for upcoming surveys such as SDSS-IV/eBOSS and DESI. We then brie y highlight the remark- able constraining power of the Lyα forest in terms of the total neutrino mass, when combined with other state-of-the-art cosmological probes, leading to a stringent upper bound on ∑mv.
Cosmology considers the Hubble redshift of galaxy light by the Doppler effect as proof the Universe has been expanding since the Big Bang. However, cosmic dust that permeates the Universe also redshifts galaxy light that if not corrected over-predicts the velocities of all astronomical measurements inferred by the Doppler effect. Hubble redshifts corrected for cosmic dust suggest the Universe may not be expanding, the consequence of which may allow the outstanding problems in cosmology to possibly be resolved by Newtonian mechanics.
Gravitational interactions — mergers and y-by encounters — between galaxies play a key role as the drivers of their evolution. Here we perform a cosmological N-body simulation using the tree-particle-mesh code GOTPM, and attempt to separate out the effects of mergers and y-bys between dark matter halos. Once close pair halos are identified by the halo finding algorithm PSB, they are classified into mergers (E12 < 0) and y-by encounters (E12 > 0) based on the total energy (E12) between two halos. The y-by and merger fractions as functions of redshift, halo masses, and ambient environments are calculated and the result shows the following: (1) Among Milky-way sized halos (0:33-2:0 X 1012h-1M⊙), 5:37±0:03% have experienced major y-bys and 7.98±0.04% have undergone major mergers since z ~ 1; (2) Among dwarf halos (0:1 - 0.33 X 1012h-1M⊙), 6.42 ± 0.02% went through major y-bys and 9.51 ± 0.03% experienced major mergers since z ~ 1; (3) Milky-way sized halos in the cluster environment experienced fly-bys (mergers) 4-11(1.5 - 1.7) times more frequently than those in the field since z ~ 1; and (4) Approaching z = 0, the y-by fraction decreases sharply with the merger fraction remaining constant, implying that the empirical pair/merger fractions (that decrease from z ~ 1) are in fact driven by the fly-bys, not by the mergers themselves.
Using black hole masses which span 105-1010M⊙, the distribution of galaxies in the (host spheroid stellar mass)-(black hole mass) diagram is shown to be strongly bent. While the core-Sersic galaxies follow a near-linear relation, having a mean Mbh=Msph mass ratio of ~0.5%, the Sersic galaxies follow a near-quadratic relation. This is not due to offset pseudobulges, but is instead an expected result arising from the long-known bend in the Msph-σ relation and a log-linear Mbh-σ relation.
We present an analysis of the relation between star-formation (SF) and accretion luminosities of local type-2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at 0:01 ≤ z < 0:22. We match type-2 AGNs found in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to current far-infrared (FIR) survey catalogues based on AKARI and Herschel. Estimating AGN luminosities from [O iii]5007 and [O i]6300 emission lines, we find a positive linear trend between FIR and AGN luminosities over a wide dynamical range. This result appears to be inconsistent with recent reports that low-luminosity AGNs show no correlation between FIR and X-ray luminosities; this contradiction is likely due to Malmquist and sample selection biases. Moreover, we also nd that pure- AGN candidates, for which the FIR radiation is thought to be AGN-dominated, show significant low-SF activities. These AGNs hosted by low-SF galaxies are rare in our sample. However, it is possible that the low fraction of low-SF AGN is caused by observational limitations, as recent FIR surveys are not suffcient to examine the population of high-luminosity AGNs hosted by low-SF galaxies.
We present evolutionary models of rotating self-gravitating systems (e.g. globular clusters, galaxy cores). These models are characterized by the presence of an initial axi-symmetry due to rotation. Central black hole seeds are included in our models, and black hole growth due to the consumption of stellar matter is simulated until the central potential dominates the kinematics of the core. Our goal is to study the long-term evolution (Gyr) of relaxed dense stellar systems which deviate from spherical symmetry, and their morphology and nal kinematics. With this purpose in mind, we developed a 2D Fokker-Planck analytical code, and confirmed its results using detailed N-Body simulations, applying a high performance code developed for GPU machines. We conclude that the initial rotation significantly modifies the shape and lifetime of these systems, and cannot be neglected in the study of the evolution of globular clusters, and the galaxy itself. Our models give a constraint for the nal intermediate black hole masses expected to be present in globular clusters.
We use multi-wavelength observations of galaxy groups to probe the formation models for galaxy for- mation in cosmological simulations, statistically. The observations include Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observations, optical photometry and radio observations at 1.4 GHz and 610 MHz. Using a large sample of galaxy groups observed by the XMM-Newton X-ray telescope as part of the XMM-Large Scale Survey, we carried out a statistical study of the redshift evolution of the luminosity gap for a well de- fined mass-selected group sample and show the relative success of some of the semi-analytic models in reproducing the observed properties of galaxy groups up to redshift z ~ 1.2. The observed trend argues in favour of a stronger evolution of the feedback from active galactic nuclei at z < 1 compared to the models. The slope of the relation between the magnitude of the brightest cluster galaxy and the value of the luminosity gap does not evolve with redshift and is well reproduced by the models. We find that the radio power of giant elliptic galaxies residing in galaxy groups with a large luminosity gap are lower compared to giant ellipticals of the same stellar masses but in typical galaxy groups.
We have conducted a near-infrared monitoring campaign at the UK InfraRed Telescope (UKIRT), of the Local Group galaxy M33. The main aim was to identify stars in the very nal stage of their evolution, and for which the luminosity is more directly related to the birth mass than the more numerous less-evolved giant stars that continue to increase in luminosity. The pulsating giant stars (AGB and red supergiants) are identified and their distributions are used to derive the star formation rate as a function of age. These stars are also important dust factories; we measure their dust production rates from a combination of our data with Spitzer Space Telescope mid-IR photometry. The mass-loss rates are seen to increase with increasing strength of pulsation and with increasing bolometric luminosity. Low-mass stars lose most of their mass through stellar winds, but even super-AGB stars and red superginats lose ~40% of their mass via a dusty stellar wind. We construct a 2-D map of the mass-return rate, showing a radial decline but also local enhancements due to agglomerations of massive stars. By comparing the current star formation rate with total mass input to the ISM, we conclude that the star formation in the central regions of M33 can only be sustained if gas is accreted from further out in the disc or from circum-galactic regions.
We use the millennium simulation for studying the evolution of groups of galaxies over time. We find fossil and non-fossil groups as well as old and young groups at redshift z = 0 and follow them back in time to investigate the evolution of their parameters, such as mass assembly, luminosity gap and halo mass concentration. We find that fossils assemble a larger fraction of their mass at z = 0 than controls. The magnitude gaps between fossil and non-fossil groups are not the same because of major and minor mergers, in old and young groups as well. We also find that WMAP1 and WMAP7 cosmologies lead to the same evolutionary history for fossil and control groups.
We study galaxies drawn from the semi-analytic models of Guo et al. (2011) based on the Millennium Simulation. We establish a set of four observationally measurable parameters which can be used in combination to identify a subset of galaxy groups which are old, with a very high probability. We therefore argue that a sample of fossil groups selected based on the luminosity gap will result in a contaminated sample of old galaxy groups. By adding constraints on the luminosity of the brightest galaxy, and its offset from the group luminosity centroid, we can considerably improve the age-dating.