adsabs/SciX_UAT_keywords huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the Variable X-Ray and UV-Optical Flux Behavior of Blazars

The variability of blazars in the X-ray and optical regions both informs the physics of their emitting region and places demands on the observer if a program requires that the object be bright or faint. The extensive simultaneous X-ray and optical observation by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (Swift) provides the best insight into the variable nature of these objects. This program uses Swift data for 19 X-ray-bright blazars, generally at z > 0.1, to determine their variability properties. The analysis is based on structure functions and provides insight into the nature of the variability and how it depends on time, luminosity, and redshift. We also consider strategies for observing blazars at or above average brightness, given a time delay between planning an observation and obtaining the data. This is critical to observations with orbiting X-ray telescopes, current or future. The variability in the soft X-ray band is typically three to eight times larger than at UV-optical wavelengths, at fixed time differences (i.e., 30 or 100 days). There is almost no difference in the amplitude of variation (X-ray or UV-optical) as a function of redshift (time delay of 30 days) and a modest positive correlation with luminosity. In the X-ray band, blazars that become brighter than normal typically remain bright for at least 2-3 months, although with significant flickering. One can avoid observing objects that are significantly below the average X-ray flux by scheduling the observation when F X > 0.9F X,avg, which requires monitoring observations near the time of the scheduling activity.

Keywords: blazars; x-ray active galactic nuclei; x-ray telescopes; hot intergalactic medium
Characterizing the Ordinary Broad-line Type Ic SN 2023pel from the Energetic GRB 230812B

We report observations of the optical counterpart of the long gamma-ray burst (GRB) GRB 230812B and its associated supernova (SN) SN 2023pel. The proximity (z = 0.36) and high energy (E γ,iso ~ 1053 erg) make it an important event to study as a probe of the connection between massive star core collapse and relativistic jet formation. With a phenomenological power-law model for the optical afterglow, we find a late-time flattening consistent with the presence of an associated SN. SN 2023pel has an absolute peak r-band magnitude of M r = -19.46 ± 0.18 mag (about as bright as SN 1998bw) and evolves on quicker timescales. Using a radioactive heating model, we derive a nickel mass powering the SN of M Ni = 0.38 ± 0.01 M ⊙ and a peak bolometric luminosity of L bol ~ 1.3 × 1043 erg s-1. We confirm SN 2023pel's classification as a broad-line Type Ic SN with a spectrum taken 15.5 days after its peak in the r band and derive a photospheric expansion velocity of v ph = 11,300 ± 1600 km s-1 at that phase. Extrapolating this velocity to the time of maximum light, we derive the ejecta mass M ej = 1.0 ± 0.6 M ⊙ and kinetic energy ${E}_{\mathrm{KE}}={1.3}_{-1.2}^{+3.3}\times {10}^{51}\,\mathrm{erg}$ . We find that GRB 230812B/SN 2023pel has SN properties that are mostly consistent with the overall GRB-SN population. The lack of correlations found in the GRB-SN population between SN brightness and E γ,iso for their associated GRBs across a broad range of 7 orders of magnitude provides further evidence that the central engine powering the relativistic ejecta is not coupled to the SN powering mechanism in GRB-SN systems.

Keywords: gamma-ray bursts; core-collapse supernovae; relativistic jets
ZTF Early Observations of Type Ia Supernovae. II. First Light, the Initial Rise, and Time to Reach Maximum Brightness

While it is clear that Type Ia supernovae (SNe) are the result of thermonuclear explosions in C/O white dwarfs (WDs), a great deal remains uncertain about the binary companion that facilitates the explosive disruption of the WD. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of a large, unique data set of 127 SNe Ia with exquisite coverage by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). High-cadence (six observations per night) ZTF observations allow us to measure the SN rise time and examine its initial evolution. We develop a Bayesian framework to model the early rise as a power law in time, which enables the inclusion of priors in our model. For a volume-limited subset of normal SNe Ia, we find that the mean power-law index is consistent with 2 in the rZTF-band ( ${\alpha }_{r}=2.01\pm 0.02$ ), as expected in the expanding fireball model. There are, however, individual SNe that are clearly inconsistent with ${\alpha }_{r}=2$ . We estimate a mean rise time of 18.9 days (with a range extending from ∼15 to 22 days), though this is subject to the adopted prior. We identify an important, previously unknown, bias whereby the rise times for higher-redshift SNe within a flux-limited survey are systematically underestimated. This effect can be partially alleviated if the power-law index is fixed to α = 2, in which case we estimate a mean rise time of 21.7 days (with a range from ∼18 to 23 days). The sample includes a handful of rare and peculiar SNe Ia. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of lessons learned from the ZTF sample that can eventually be applied to observations from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.

Keywords: type ia supernovae; surveys; catalogs; observational astronomy; supernovae
An Improved Radio Pointing Model for SHARC II of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory Telescope

In this research, we develop a new method of upgrading the radio pointing model of an important instrument of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) telescope, i.e., the Submillimeter High Angular Resolution Camera II (SHARC II), by making three types of structural reconstruction of its existing model. First, the axial displacement of the secondary reflector of the telescope is introduced to the radio pointing model for SHARC II. Second, the multi-layer perceptron is applied for better describing higher-order terms in the radio pointing model, which are hard to be mathematically formulated. Third, a receding horizon modeling method is proposed to replace the time-dependent term in the existing model, for better reducing the negative impact of the time drift on the model's accuracy. Results of numerical experiments and statistical significance analysis based on the real pointing data of SHARC II show that the reconstructed radio pointing model can improve the accuracy of estimating the pointing error, and the proposed method of upgrading the radio pointing model is effective. Considering that the CSO telescope will be moved from the old site at Maunakea, Hawaii to the new site at the Chajnantor Plateau in Chile, the proposed methods of upgrading the radio pointing model are expected to be employed for pointing correction after the telescope is refurbished at the new site.

Keywords: radio telescopes; submillimeter astronomy; high angular resolution; pointing error; neural networks
Discovery of a Mid-L Dwarf Companion to the L 262-74 System

We present the discovery of CWISE J151044.74-524923.5, a wide low-mass companion to the nearby (~24.7 pc) system L 262-74, which was identified through the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen science project. We detail the properties of the system, and we assess that this companion is a mid-L dwarf, which will need to be verified spectroscopically. With an angular separation of 74.″3, we estimate a projected physical separation of ~1837 au from the central system.

Keywords: low mass stars; multiple stars; proper motions; brown dwarfs
Constraining the Effect of Convective Inhibition on the Thermal Evolution of Uranus and Neptune

The internal heat flows of both Uranus and Neptune remain major outstanding problems in planetary science. Uranus's surprisingly cold effective temperature is inconsistent with adiabatic thermal evolution models, while Neptune's substantial internal heat flow is twice its received insolation. In this work, we constrain the magnitude of influence condensation, including latent heat and inhibition of convection, can have on the thermal evolution of these bodies. We find that while the effect can be significant, it is insufficient to solve the Uranus faintness problem on its own. Self-consistently considering the effects of both latent heat release and stable stratification, methane condensation can speed up the cooldown time of Uranus and Neptune by no more than 15%, assuming 5% molar methane abundance. Water condensation works in the opposite direction; water condensation can slow down the cooldown timescale of Uranus and Neptune by no more than 15%, assuming 12% molar water abundance. We also constrain the meteorological implications of convective inhibition. We demonstrate that sufficiently abundant condensates will relax to a state of radiative-convective equilibrium requiring finite activation energy to disrupt. We also comment on the importance of considering convective inhibition when modeling planetary interiors.

Keywords: planetary interior; planetary structure; planetary atmospheres; neptune; uranus; exoplanet evolution
Carbonaceous Chondrites and the Condensation of Elements from the Solar Nebula

Common features of all carbonaceous chondrite groups are invariant refractory element ratios, depletions of moderately volatile elements as a function of their condensation temperature (TC), and strongly depleted highly volatile element concentrations independent of TC. The depletion of volatile elements with respect to the bulk solar system composition requires a separation of gas from solids in the solar nebula. Several models have been proposed to explain the decoupling of gas and solids, but not all are compatible with astrophysical, chemical, and petrologic constraints. Here existing physical models are integrated with measured element concentrations, measured and modeled physical properties of protoplanetary disks, and planetary-scale nucleosynthetic and stable isotope variations to establish a conceptual model for the condensation and accretion of elements into planetesimals. In this model, the chemical composition of chondrites is established by element condensation in a cooling solar nebula that changed its surface density as a function of time and temperature. The model predicts peak temperatures at the condensation sites of about 1400 K that consequently decreased due to a diminishing heat source originating from viscous heating and radiation, accompanied by continuous removal of gas from the nebula surface by photoevaporation. The coupled evolution of condensing solids from a nebula of diminishing surface density resulted in a pattern of decreasing moderately volatile abundances with decreasing TC. The reduction of nebula opacity due to the chondrule-forming process significantly increased nebula cooling rates and led to the near-chondritic relative abundances of highly volatile elements observed in carbonaceous chondrites.

Keywords: carbonaceous chondrites; solar system; isotope shifts; solar system formation
Modeling Solar Energetic Neutral Atoms from Solar Flares and CME-driven Shocks

We examine the production of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) in solar flares and coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven shocks and their subsequent propagation to 1 au. Time profiles and fluence spectra of solar ENAs at 1 au are computed for two scenarios: (1) ENAs are produced downstream at CME-driven shocks, and (2) ENAs are produced at large-scale post-flare loops in solar flares. Both the time profiles and fluence spectra for these two scenarios are vastly different. Our calculations indicate that we can use solar ENAs as a new probe to examine the underlying acceleration process of solar energetic particles (SEPs) and to differentiate the two acceleration sites: large loops in solar flares and downstream of CME-driven shocks, in large SEP events.

Keywords: solar energetic particles; interplanetary particle acceleration; solar flares
Modeling the Lunar Wake Response to a CME Using a Hybrid PIC Model

In the solar wind, a low-density wake region forms downstream of the nightside lunar surface. In this study, we use a series of 3D hybrid particle-in-cell simulations to model the response of the lunar wake to a passing coronal mass ejection (CME). Average plasma parameters are derived from the Wind spacecraft located at 1 au during three distinct phases of a passing halo (Earth-directed) CME on 2015 June 22. Each set of plasma parameters, representing the shock/plasma sheath, a magnetic cloud, and plasma conditions we call the mid-CME phase, are used as the time-static upstream boundary conditions for three separate simulations. These simulation results are then compared with results that use nominal solar wind conditions. Results show a shortened plasma void compared to nominal conditions and a distinctive rarefaction cone originating from the terminator during the CME's plasma sheath phase, while a highly elongated plasma void reforms during the magnetic cloud and mid-CME phases. Developments of electric and magnetic field intensification are also observed during the plasma sheath phase along the central wake, while electrostatic turbulence dominates along the plasma void boundaries and 2-3 lunar radii R M downstream in the central wake during the magnetic cloud and mid-CME phases. The simulations demonstrate that the lunar wake responds in a dynamic way with the changes in the upstream solar wind during a CME.

Keywords: solar coronal mass ejections; space plasmas; theoretical models; the moon
Model Constraints Based on the IceCube Neutrino Nondetection of GRB 221009A

GRB 221009A is a bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) with isotropic energy larger than 1054 erg. Its fairly low redshift makes it a promising candidate for high-energy neutrino detection. However, a neutrino search for this GRB reported by the IceCube collaboration yielded a null result. In this paper, we utilize the upper limit from the IceCube observation to test different GRB prompt emission models. We find that, at least for this specific burst, the dissipative photosphere model could be ruled out in a large parameter space. The internal-shock model can survive only with a large bulk motion Lorentz factor Γ, where the most stringent and conservative constraints are Γ > ~ 450 and Γ > ~ 200, respectively. Also, the ratio of the total dissipated energy that goes into the protons and electrons (ϵ p /ϵ e ) can be constrained with a given Γ. For Γ < 400, ϵ p /ϵ e < 10 is required. For the Internal-collision-induced Magnetic Reconnection and Turbulence (ICMART) model, the constraint from GRB 221009A is modest. Under the ICMART model, only for extreme situations when most dissipated energy deposit into protons and all accelerated protons are suitable for producing neutrinos, a slightly large bulk motion (Γ > ~ 250) is required.

Keywords: gamma-ray bursts
Rocks with Extremely Low Thermal Inertia at the OSIRIS-REx Sample Site on Asteroid Bennu

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission recently returned a sample of rocks and dust collected from asteroid Bennu. We analyzed the highest-resolution thermal data obtained by the OSIRIS-REx Thermal Emission Spectrometer (OTES) to gain insight into the thermal and physical properties of the sampling site, including rocks that may have been sampled, and the immediately surrounding Hokioi Crater. After correcting the pointing of the OTES data sets, we find that OTES fortuitously observed two dark rocks moments before they were contacted by the spacecraft. We derived thermal inertias of 100–150 (±50) J m‑2 K‑1 s‑1/2 for these two rocks—exceptionally low even compared with other previously analyzed dark rocks on Bennu (180–250 J m‑2 K‑1 s‑1/2). Our simulations indicate that monolayer coatings of sand- to pebble-sized particles, as observed on one of these rocks, could significantly reduce the apparent thermal inertia and largely mask the properties of the substrate. However, the other low-thermal-inertia rock that was contacted is not obviously covered in particles. Moreover, this rock appears to have been partially crushed, and thus potentially sampled, by the spacecraft. We conclude that this rock may be highly fractured and that it should be sought in the returned sample to better understand its origin in Bennu's parent body and the relationship between its thermal and physical properties.

Keywords: asteroids; asteroid surfaces; planetary science; remote sensing; near-earth objects
The X-Ray Polarimetry View of the Accreting Pulsar Cen X-3

The first X-ray pulsar, Cen X-3, was discovered 50 yr ago. Radiation from such objects is expected to be highly polarized due to birefringence of plasma and vacuum associated with propagation of photons in the presence of the strong magnetic field. Here we present results of the observations of Cen X-3 performed with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer. The source exhibited significant flux variability and was observed in two states different by a factor of ~20 in flux. In the low-luminosity state, no significant polarization was found in either pulse phase-averaged (with a 3σ upper limit of 12%) or phase-resolved (the 3σ upper limits are 20%-30%) data. In the bright state, the polarization degree of 5.8% ± 0.3% and polarization angle of 49.°6 ± 1.°5 with a significance of about 20σ were measured from the spectropolarimetric analysis of the phase-averaged data. The phase-resolved analysis showed a significant anticorrelation between the flux and the polarization degree, as well as strong variations of the polarization angle. The fit with the rotating vector model indicates a position angle of the pulsar spin axis of about 49° and a magnetic obliquity of 17°. The detected relatively low polarization can be explained if the upper layers of the neutron star surface are overheated by the accreted matter and the conversion of the polarization modes occurs within the transition region between the upper hot layer and a cooler underlying atmosphere. A fraction of polarization signal can also be produced by reflection of radiation from the neutron star surface and the accretion curtain.

Keywords: neutron stars; magnetic fields; x-ray binary stars; accretion; pulsars; polarimetry
A Generic Model for a Persistent Radio Source around Fast Radio Bursts

The repeated fast radio bursts FRB 121102A and FRB 190520B have been reported, along with a spatially coincident, compact, persistent radio emission. In this paper, we present a parameterized one-zone model, with the basic scenario that a relativistic magnetized wind from the pulsar sweeps up the surroundings, e.g., freely expanding supernova ejecta, giving rise to a power-law distribution of electrons between the forward shock and the termination shock. We show that via appropriate adjustment of the model parameters, we can obtain synchrotron radio emission properties from the one-zone model bright enough to account for the observation, simply and analytically fitting the observed spectra well. Through dynamical evolution of the model, we can also obtain time-varying relevant properties. This parameterized model does not depend on concrete physical models such as a central engine; instead, we can constraint the physical model via comparison between parameters and observations, indicating the information about the central engine and surroundings. We also discuss the synchrotron self-Compton emission in our scenario in the end but find no clue about the counterparts at other wave bands.

Keywords: radio transient sources; pulsar wind nebulae; non-thermal radiation sources
Tomographic Alcock-Paczyński Test with Redshift-space Correlation Function: Evidence for the Dark Energy Equation-of-state Parameter w > -1

The apparent shape of galaxy clustering depends on the adopted cosmology used to convert observed redshift to comoving distance, the r(z) relation, as it changes the line elements along and across the line of sight differently. The Alcock-Paczyński (AP) test exploits this property to constrain the expansion history of the universe. We present an extensive review of past studies on the AP test. We adopt an extended AP test method introduced by Park et al., which uses the full shape of redshift-space two-point correlation function (CF) as the standard shape, and apply it to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR7, BOSS, and eBOSS LRG samples covering the redshift range up to z = 0.8. We calibrate the test against the nonlinear cosmology-dependent systematic evolution of the CF shape using Multiverse simulations. We focus on examining whether or not the flat Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) concordance model is consistent with observation. We constrain the flat wCDM model to have $w=-{0.892}_{-0.050}^{+0.045}$ and ${{\rm{\Omega }}}_{m}={0.282}_{-0.023}^{+0.024}$ from our AP test alone, which is significantly tighter than the constraints from the BAO or SNe Ia methods by a factor of 3-6. When the AP test result is combined with the recent BAO and SNe Ia results, we obtain $w=-{0.903}_{-0.023}^{+0.023}$ and ${{\rm{\Omega }}}_{m}={0.285}_{-0.009}^{+0.014}$ . This puts a strong tension with the flat ΛCDM model with w = -1 at the 4.2σ level. Consistency with w = -1 is obtained only when the Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) observation is combined. It remains to be seen whether this tension between observations of galaxy distribution at low redshifts and CMB anisotropy at the decoupling epoch becomes greater in future studies and leads us to a new paradigm of cosmology.

Keywords: dark energy; large-scale structure of the universe; cosmology
Heliosheath Proton Distribution in the Plasma Reference Frame

Properties of the inner heliosheath (IHS) plasma are inferred from energetic neutral atom (ENA) observations by ∼1 au spacecraft. However, the Compton-Getting effect due to the plasma velocity relative to the spacecraft is rarely taken into account, even though the plasma speed is a significant fraction of the ENA speed. In this study, we transform Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) ENA spectra to the IHS plasma frame using flow profiles from a 3D heliosphere simulation. We find that proton spectra in the plasma frame are steeper by ∼30% to 5% at ∼0.5 to 6 keV, respectively, compared to ENAs in the spacecraft frame. While radial plasma flows contribute most to the Compton-Getting effect, transverse flows at mid/high latitudes and the heliosphere flanks account for up to ∼30% of the frame transformation for IBEX-Hi at ∼0.7 keV and up to ∼60% for IBEX-Lo at ∼0.1 keV. We determine that the majority of IHS proton fluxes derived from IBEX-Hi measurements in 2009-2016 are statistically consistent with power-law distributions, with mean proton index ∼2.1 and standard deviation ∼0.4. We find significantly fewer spectral breaks in IBEX observations compared to early analyses, which we determine were a product of the "ion gun" background prevalent in ∼2009-2012 before corrections made by McComas et al. in subsequent data releases. We recommend that future analyses of the IHS plasma utilizing ENA measurements take into account the Compton-Getting effect including radial and transverse flows, particularly IBEX and Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe measurements below ∼10 keV.

Keywords: solar cycle; heliosheath; interstellar medium; pickup ions; solar wind; heliosphere; charge exchange ionization; space plasmas; chi-squared statistic