bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astronomy in the City for Astronomy Education
Authors: Ros Rosa M. , Garc Beatriz
Published: October 2016

Astronomy is part of our culture. Astronomy cannot be isolated in a classroom, it has to be integrated in the normal life of teachers and students. “Astronomy in the city” is an important part of NASE (Network for Astronomy School Education) (Ros & Hemenway 2012). In each NASE course we introduce a “working group session” chaired by a local expert in cultural astronomy. The chair introduces several examples of astronomy in their city and after that, the participants have the opportunity to discuss and mention several similar examples. After this session all participants visit one or two sites proposed and introduced by the chair.

After more than 5 years using this method we visited and discovered several examples of astronomy in the city:

•Astronomy in ancient typical clothes.

•Archaeological temples oriented according to the sunrise or set.

•Petroglyphs with astronomical meaning.

•Astronomy in monuments.

•Sundials.

•Oriented Colonial churches.

•Astronomy in Souvenirs.

In any case, teachers and students discover that Astronomy is part of their everyday life. They can take into account the Sun's path when they park their car or when they take a bus “what is the best part in order to be seat in the shadow during the journey?” The result is motivation to go with “open eyes” when they are in the street and they try to get more and more information about their surroundings.

In summary, one of the main activities is to introduce local cultural aspects in NASE astronomy courses. The participants can discover a new approach to local culture from an astronomical point of view.
The data sharing advantage in astrophysics
Authors: Dorch Bertil F. , Drachen Thea M. , Ellegaard Ole
Published: October 2016

We present here evidence for the existence of a citation advantage within astrophysics for papers that link to data. Using simple measures based on publication data from NASA Astrophysics Data System we find a citation advantage for papers with links to data receiving on the average significantly more citations per paper than papers without links to data. Furthermore, using INSPEC and Web of Science databases we investigate whether either papers of an experimental or theoretical nature display different citation behavior.
That over-used and much abused 4-letter word: DATA
Authors: Griffin Elizabeth
Published: October 2016

In its prime state, DATA is a Latin word meaning “[things] given”, a plural noun derived from the verb “To Give”. Its singular form is DATUM. Modern conversation equates DATA with “Information”, while modern philosophies on information management are getting entwined with parallel philosophies on knowledge management. In some ways that is a positive development, and is greatly assisted by Open Access and Internet policies, but in others it is more detrimental, by threatening to blur the essential distinction between objectivity and subjectivity in our science. We examine that essential distinction from the view-points of observers, authors (and publishers), and database managers, and suggest where, when and how the distinctiveness of their fundamental contributions to the communication and validation of research results should be respected and upheld.
Validation of transting planet candidates: a Bayesian view
Authors: Díaz Rodrigo F. , Almenara Jose Manuel , Santerne Alexandre
Published: October 2016

Transiting candidate validation is essentially a Bayesian model comparison problem: different models, all explaining the observations comparably well, compete for the support of the available data. The basic characteristics of the planet validation problem are discussed and the different approaches taken to tackle its difficulties are reviewed.
Measuring the mass of Kepler-78b using nonparametric Gaussian process estimation
Authors: Grunblatt Samuel K. , Howard Andrew W. , Haywood Raphaëlle D.
Published: October 2016

Measuring the masses of rocky planets is quite difficult, as the relevant signal produced by such planets is often dwarfed by stellar activity by an order of magnitude or more. Developing a more robust way to isolate the stellar activity in these measurements is crucial to the search for Earth-like planets. We estimate the mass of Earth-size planet Kepler-78b using a Gaussian process estimator to describe the stellar activity in both photometric and radial velocity (RV) data, confirming previous results with a more robust technique that can be extended toward Earth analogues.
Planet Frequency beyond the Snow Line from MOA-II Microlensing Survey
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke , Bennett David P. ,   the MOA collaboration
Published: October 2016

We present the first statistical analysis of the exoplanet frequency using planets found by a microlensing survey rather than follow-up observations. We present an analysis of 2007-2012 MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) survey data to derive the planet frequency as a function of the planet/star mass ratio, q and separation, s, relative to the Einstein radius. Our sample includes 1472 microlensing events, including 22 planetary events and 1 ambiguous event with possible planetary and stellar binary solutions. The detection efficiency is calculated for each event and we employ a Bayesian analysis to deal with the ambiguous event. A broken power law model is used to fit the mass ratio function and we find a break and likely peak at q ~1.0−4.
The Small Exoplanet Mass-Radius Relation: Quantifying the Astrophysical Scatter
Authors: Wolfgang Angie , Rogers Leslie A. , Ford Eric B.
Published: October 2016

The Kepler Mission has discovered thousands of planets with radii <4 R ⊕, paving the way for the first statistical studies of super-Earth dynamics, formation, and evolution. These calculations often require planetary masses, and yet the vast majority of Kepler planet candidates do not have theirs measured. A key concern is therefore how to map the measured radii to mass estimates in a size range that lacks Solar System analogs. While previous works have derived one-to-one relationships between radius and mass, a realistic mass-radius (M-R) relation should account for the range of compositions that we expect within the population. This compositional diversity creates astrophysical scatter in the relation, which we quantify here.
GATE (Gaia Transiting Exoplanets): Detecting Transiting Exoplanets with Gaia
Authors: Zucker Shay , Eyer Laurent , Hodgkin Simon , Clementini Gisella
Published: October 2016

Gaia will have a revolutionary impact on most fields of astronomy. However, its scanning law is too sparse for traditional transit detection approaches (de Bruijne 2012). Practically, only stars brighter than 16th magnitude are relevant for follow-up of transiting exoplanets. For those stars, Gaia's precision is of the order of 1 mmag (Eyer et al. 2015). On average, Gaia will have sampled each target 70 times, but certain stars may be observed as many as 200 times (Voss et al. 2013). Hipparcos scanning law was similar, but its precision much worse. Nevertheless the transit of HD209458 could be seen, aposteriori, in Hipparcos' data (Söderhelm 1999). This inspired our GATE initiative.
The Chelyabinsk event
Authors: Borovička Jiří
Published: October 2016

On February 15, 2013, 3:20 UT, an asteroid of the size of about 19 meters and mass of 12,000 metric tons entered the Earth's atmosphere unexpectedly near the border of Kazakhstan and Russia. It was the largest confirmed Earth impactor since the Tunguska event in 1908. The body moved approximately westwards with a speed of 19 km s−1, on a trajectory inclined 18 degrees to the surface, creating a fireball of steadily increasing brightness. Eleven seconds after the first sightings, the fireball reached its maximum brightness. At that point, it was located less than 40 km south from Chelyabinsk, a Russian city of population more than one million, at an altitude of 30 km. For people directly underneath, the fireball was 30 times brighter than the Sun. The cosmic body disrupted into fragments; the largest of them was visible for another five seconds before it disappeared at an altitude of 12.5 km, when it was decelerated to 3 km s−1. Fifty six second later, that ~600 kg fragment landed in Lake Chebarkul and created a 8 m wide hole in the ice. Small meteorites landed in an area 80 km long and several km wide and caused no damage. The meteorites were classified as LL ordinary chondrites and were interesting by the presence of two phases, light and dark. More material remained, however, in the atmosphere forming a dust trail up to 2 km wide and extending along the fireball trajectory from altitude 18 to 70 km. The dust then circled the Earth within few days and formed a ring around the northern hemisphere. In Chelyabinsk and its surroundings a very strong blast wave arrived 90 – 150 s after the fireball passage (depending on location). The wave was produced by the supersonic flight of the body and broke ~10% of windows in Chelyabinsk (~40% of buildings were affected). More than 1600 people were injured, mostly from broken glass. The whole event was well documented by video cameras, seismic and infrasonic records, and satellite observations. The total energy was 500 kT TNT (2 × 1015 J).
15N fractionation in star-forming regions and Solar System objects
Authors: Wirström E. S. , Adande G. , Milam S. N. , Charnley S. B. , Cordiner M. A.
Published: October 2016

We briefly review what is currently known of 14N/15N ratios in interstellar molecules. We summarize the fractionation ratios measured in HCN, HNC, CN, N2 and NH3, and compare these to theoretical predictions and to the isotopic inventory of cometary volatiles.
The Photometric Variability of Solar-Type Stars
Authors: Giampapa Mark S.
Published: October 2016

The joint variability of chromospheric emission with the integrated flux in the Kepler visible band for the Sun as a star is examined. No correlation between our Ca II K line parameter and the Kepler passband is seen, suggesting that visible-band variability in solar-like stars is mostly independent of solar-like chromospheric activity. However, the K-line parameter time series and the total solar flux in the infrared K band appear weakly correlated, reflecting the wavelength dependence of the relationship between magnetic activity and broadband variability. We then apply a schematic, three-component model as a framework for the discussion of stellar photometric variability as observed by Kepler. The model confirms that spots tend to dominate stellar photometric variability in the visible though interesting cases do emerge where the facular disk coverage may become important in determining the amplitude of broadband variability.
Solar influence on Earth's climate
Authors: Thiéblemont Rémi , Matthes Katja
Published: October 2016

Understanding the influence of solar variability on the Earth's climate requires knowledge of solar variability, solar-terrestrial interactions and observations, as well as mechanisms determining the response of the Earth's climate system. A summary of our current understanding from observational and modeling studies is presented with special focus on the “top-down” stratospheric UV and the “bottom-up” air-sea coupling mechanisms linking solar forcing and natural climate variability.
The IAU Strategic Plan
Authors: Miley George
Published: October 2016

I shall review the content of the IAU Strategic Plan (SP) to use astronomy as a tool for stimulating development globally during the decade 2010 - 2020. Considerable progress has been made in its implementation since the last General Assembly.
Towards “Astronomy for Development”
Authors: Govender Kevin
Published: October 2016

The ambition of the IAU's decadal strategic plan is to use astronomy to stimulate development globally. The Office of Astronomy for Development was established in 2011 to implement this visionary plan. This talk will reflect on the past, present and future activities of the office, and describe the status of implementation of the plan at this halfway point in the 2010- decade.
Astronomy for a Better World: IAU Office of Astronomy for Development Activities to Grow and Advance Astronomy Education and Research at Universities in the Developing World
Authors: Guinan Edward F. , Kolenberg Katrien
Published: October 2016

In 2012, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), through its Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), established the three Task Forces which drive global activities using astronomy as a tool to stimulate development. These Task Forces are: (i) Astronomy for Universities and Research; (ii) Astronomy for Children and Schools; and (iii) Astronomy for the Public.
Ten years of RELEA: Achievements and challenges for astronomy education development
Authors: Bretones P. S. , Jafelice L. C. , Horvath J. E.
Published: October 2016

When an area of education, and more particularly the research within this area, is aimed to development, one of the basic requirements is the existence of a regular publication that accounts for the scientific production in that area. This study aims to analyze 10 years of Latin-American Journal of Astronomy Education (RELEA) [http://www.relea.ufscar.br/].
Dark Skies Africa
Authors: Walker Constance E , Tellez Daniel , Pompea Stephen M
Published: October 2016

The first IAU Office of Astronomy for Development Task Force 3 project on light pollution is described along with evaluations and recommendations for future projects.
The East Asian Regional Office of Astronomy for Development
Authors: de Grijs Richard , Zhang Ziping , He Jinhua
Published: October 2016

At the 2012 General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the Office of Astronomy for Development announced a number of exciting new partnerships to assist with the IAU's decadal strategic plan (2010--2020). These landmark decisions included establishing a new coordinating centre that aims at using astronomy as a tool for development in East Asia. The agreement covers two important functions. One is known as a Regional Node, which entails the coordination of astronomy-for-development activities in countries within the general geographical region of East Asia. The other is known as a Language Expertise Centre which deals with all aspects relating to (mainly) the Chinese language and culture. The impact of the latter may obviously spread well beyond the geographical region to other parts of the world. Here we provide an update of the achievements and aims of the East Asian Office of Astronomy for Development.
Session 21.3 – Radio and Optical Site Protection
Authors: Sefako Ramotholo
Published: October 2016

Advancement in radio technology means that radio astronomy has to share the radio spectrum with many other non-astronomical activities, majority of which increase radio frequency interference (RFI), and therefore detrimentally affecting the radio observations at the observatory sites. Major radio facilities such as the SKA, in both South Africa and Australia, and the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in China will be very sensitive, and therefore require protection against RFI.

In the case of optical astronomy, the growing urbanisation and industrialisation led to optical astronomy becoming impossible near major cities due to light and dust pollution. Major optical and IR observatories are forced to be far away in remote areas, where light pollution is not yet extreme. The same is true for radio observatories, which have to be sited away from highly RFI affected areas near populated regions and major cities.

In this review, based on the Focus Meeting 21 (FM21) oral presentations at the IAU General Assembly on 11 August 2015, we give an overview of the mechanisms that have evolved to provide statutory protection for radio astronomy observing, successes (e.g at 21 cm HI line), defeats and challenges at other parts of the spectrum. We discuss the available legislative initiatives to protect the radio astronomy sites for large projects like SKA (in Australia and South Africa), and FAST against the RFI. For optical protection, we look at light pollution with examples of its effect at Xinglong observing station of the National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC), Ali Observatory in Tibet, and Asiago Observatory in Italy, as well as the effect of conversion from low pressure sodium lighting to LEDs in the County of Hawaii.
Session 21.7 – Education Programs Promoting Light Pollution Awareness and IYL2015
Authors: Walker Constance E.
Published: October 2016

By proclaiming the IYL2015, the United Nations recognized the importance of light and light based technology in the lives of the citizens of the world and for the development of global society on many levels. Light and application of light science and technology are vital for existing and future advances in many scientific areas and culture. Light is a key element in astronomy: as astronomers, it is what we study and makes our science possible, but it is also what threatens our observations when it is set-off from the ground (light pollution). The UN-designated year 2015 represented a magnificent and unique opportunity for the global astronomical community to disseminate these messages and raise the awareness of the importance and preservation of dark skies for heritage and the natural environment.

As such, the International Year of Light served as a launching pad for several projects during 2015. Two other projects with equally as impressive programs are highlighted and begin the narrative for this section on public education and outreach programs on light pollution issues and solutions.
Planetary nebulae as probes of galactic structure and evolution
Authors: Stanghellini Letizia , Peña Miriam , Méndez Roberto
Published: October 2016

Focus Meeting 4 (FM4) on Planetary nebulae as probes of galactic structure and evolution was held as part of the XXIXth IAU General Assembly, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, in August 2015. We had 11 invited reviews, 21 contributed talks, and ~ 30 posters. Because of page limitations, we have decided to publish only the invited reviews. In what follows, we attempt to summarize what the reader can expect to find in these proceedings.
The thermal SZ power spectrum
Authors: Dolag Klaus , Komatsu Eiichiro , Sunyaev Rashid
Published: October 2016

The Magneticum Pathfinder (www.magneticum.org) cosmological, hydro-dynamical simulation (896h-1Mpc)3 follows in detail the thermal and chemical evolution of the ICM as well as the evolution of SMBHs and their associated feedback processes. We demonstrate that assuming cosmological parameters inferred from the CMB, the thermal SZ power spectrum as observed by PLANCK is well matched by the deep light-cones constructed from these cosmological simulations. The thermal SZ prediction from the full SZ maps are significantly exceeding previous templates at large l (e.g., l > 1000) and therefore predict a significantly larger contribution to the signal at l = 3000 compared to previous findings. The excess of positive values within the probability distribution of the thermal SZ signal within the simulated light-cone agrees with the one seen by PLANCK. This excess signal follows a power law shape with an index of roughly -3.2. The bulk of the thermal SZ signal originates from clusters and groups which form between z = 0 and z ≈ 2 where at high redshift (z > 1) significant part of the signal originates from proto-cluster regions, which are not yet virialized. The simulation predicts a mean fluctuating Compton Y value of 1.18 × 10-6, with a remaining contribution of almost 5 ×10-7 when removing contribution from halos above a virial mass of 1013 M⊙/h.
All-sky reconstruction of the primordial scalar potential & implications
Authors: Dorn Sebastian , Greiner Maksim , Enßlin Torsten A.
Published: October 2016

An essential quantity required to understand the physics of the early Universe is the primordial scalar potential and its statistics. We present an inexpensive all-sky reconstruction of the potential from CMB temperature data as well as an extension including polarization data. Once explicitly having the potential, its statistics and underlying physics can be directly obtained avoiding expensive CMB analyses.
Probing masses of SZ-detected clusters using clustering signatures
Authors: Tshililo Israel R. , Cress Catherine , February Sean
Published: October 2016

We investigate the clustering of clusters detected by Planck via the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect. The bias (the offset of the clustering relative to what is expected for dark matter) is then used to estimate the average mass of clusters in the sample, using mass-bias relations found in simulations. We also compare the clustering of Planck clusters with those detected in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) using the GMBCG method. Our results indicate that Planck clusters have a higher average mass than that inferred from their SZ signatures.
Polarized thermal dust emission as seen by Planck : A comparison with MHD simulations and lessons from a toy model
Authors: Levrier F. ,   on behalf of the Planck collaboration, Neveu J.
Published: October 2016

The Planck satellite has mapped the polarized microwave sky (from 30 GHz to 353 GHz) with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution. This wealth of data yields the first complete map of polarized thermal emission from dust in our own Galaxy, shedding new light on the formation of dense cold structures within which new stars and planetary systems are born, under the combined effects of gravity, turbulence and magnetic fields. We present a statistical analysis of this polarized emission from nearby molecular clouds, with an emphasis on the evolution of the maximum polarization fraction observed as a function of column density, and on the anti-correlation between the polarization fraction and the local dispersion of polarization angles. To interpret this data, numerical simulations of anisotropic MHD turbulence underline the essential role played by the topology of the interstellar magnetic field, in particular its large-scale component. Indeed, the polarization of dust thermal emission at the scales observed by Planck is essentially related to the geometry of the magnetic field. Polarization fractions anti-correlate with column densities, which may be due to a succession of variously polarized structures on the line of sight. They also anti-correlate with the local dispersion of polarization angles. These features are well reproduced by MHD simulations of the diffuse ISM, with comparable correlation coefficients. As an extension to this work published in Planck Intermediate Results XX (A&A, 576, 105, 2015), the statistical properties of the random component of the interstellar magnetic field are explored using a toy model of the turbulent magnetized ISM based on fractional Brownian motion (fBm) fields. A least-squares analysis to retrieve the statistical properties of the interstellar magnetic field from Planck observations is pursued. Application of this method on the toy model shows good promise, and we are currently working towards its application on Planck data.
Host galaxies and large-scale structures of active galactic nuclei
Authors: Hickox Ryan C. , LaMassa Stephanie M. , Silverman John D. , Kolodzig Alexander
Published: October 2016

Our understanding of the cosmic evolution of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) has been revolutionized by the advent of large multiwavelength extragalactic surveys, which have enabled detailed statistical studies of the host galaxies and large-scale structures of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We give an overview of some recent results on SMBH evolution, including the connection between AGN activity and star formation in galaxies, the role of galaxy mergers in fueling AGN activity, the nature of luminous obscured AGN, and the connection between AGN and their host dark matter halos. We conclude by looking to the future of large-scale extragalactic X-ray and spectroscopic surveys.
The nuclear path of the CNO cycles in massive stars
Authors: Przybilla N. , Nieva M. F. , Maeder A. , Meynet G.
Published: October 2016

We discuss how the nuclear path of the CNO cycles in massive stars can be employed as a quality indicator for model atmosphere analyses and for the derivation of tight observational constraints for developing a better understanding of the evolution of rotating massive stars.
Production and Recycling of Carbon in the Early Galactic Halo
Authors: Andersen Johannes , Nordström Birgitta , Hansen Terese T.
Published: October 2016

A large fraction of extremely metal-poor halo stars are strongly enriched in carbon (CEMP stars). The standard scenario for their origin is mass transfer in binary systems, but this assumes that they are binaries. If not, the C must have been implanted in their natal clouds from a distant production site(s) in the preceding - possibly first - generation of stars. The binary population of CEMP subgroups can shed light on these processes.
The Mass Distribution in Disk Galaxies
Authors: Courteau Stéphane , Dutton Aaron A.
Published: October 2016

We present the relative fraction of baryons and dark matter at various radii in galaxies. For spiral galaxies, this fraction measured in a galaxy's inner parts is typically baryon-dominated (maximal) and dark-matter dominated (sub-maximal) in the outskirts. The transition from maximal to sub-maximal baryons occurs within the inner parts of low-mass disk galaxies (with Vtot ≤ 200 km s−1) and in the outer disk for more massive systems. The mean mass fractions for late- and early-type galaxies vary significantly at the same fiducial radius and circular velocity, suggesting a range of galaxy formation mechanisms. A more detailed discussion, and resolution of the so-called “maximal disk problem”, is presented in Courteau & Dutton, ApJL, 801, 20.
Supernovae from yellow, blue supergiants: origin and consequences for stellar evolution
Authors: Meynet G. , Groh J. , Georgy C. , Saio H. , Kudritzki R.
Published: October 2016

A few core collapse supernovae progenitors have been found to be yellow or blue supergiants. Weshall discuss possible scenarios involving single and close binary evolution allowing to explain this kind of corecollapse supernova progenitors. According to stellar models for both single and close binaries, blue supergiants, at theend of their nuclear lifetimes and thus progenitors of core collapse supernovae, present very different characteristicsfor what concerns their surface compositions, rotational surface velocities and pulsational properties with respect toblue supergiants in their core helium burning phase. We discuss how the small observed scatter of the flux-weightedgravity-luminosity (FWGL) relation of blue supergiants constrains the evolution of massive stars after the Main-Sequence phase and the nature of the progenitors of supernovae in the mass range between 12 and 40 solarmasses. The present day observed surface abundances of blue supergiants, of their pulsational properties, as well asthe small scatter of the FWGL relation provide strong constraints on both internal mixing and mass loss in massivestars and therefore on the end point of their evolution.
The Life and Death of Massive Stars in the Starburst Galaxy I Zw 18
Authors: Szécsi Dorottya , Langer Norbert
Published: October 2016

Massive stars at low metallicity are strong candidates for two of the most energetic explosions in the Universe: long duration gamma-ray bursts and superluminous supernovae. But what is the reason these explosions prefer low metallicity environments? To answer this question, we investigate how massive stellar evolution proceeds in low metallicity environments.
Supernova progenitors as a test for stellar physics
Authors: Georgy Cyril
Published: October 2016

The evolution of massive stars after the main sequence is not very well known from a theoretical point of view. Recent studies have shown that the way internal mixing processes, such as rotation and convection, are implemented in stellar evolution codes lead to significant discrepancies between the predictions of these codes. Particularly, the end-points of stellar evolution can be considerably different, making hard to understand the evolutionary path the lead to the observed supernovae progenitors.
Supernovae at the Extremes
Authors: Chen Ke-Jung
Published: October 2016

During a supernova explosion, fluid instabilities are generated because the star is in a hydrodynamically unstable situation, which is like the effects of stirring a fire or blowing air into a hot grill. The resulting mixing of the supernova ejecta may be observable. Here, we briefly discuss the multidimensional simulations of supernovae from very massive stars.
Utilizing Supernova Remnants as Probes of Explosion Mechanisms and Progenitor Systems
Authors: Milisavljevic Dan
Published: October 2016

Theory and observation strongly favor the notion that asymmetric explosions drive core-collapse supernovae, but where and how this asymmetry becomes introduced is uncertain. The most likely places of origin are in the explosion mechanism itself or the interior structure of the star into which the explosion proceeds. Investigating the recently uncovered bubble-like interiors of young, nearby supernova remnants may provide a way to unravel which of these competing processes dominate.
Multi-Wavelength Observations of Nearby Starburst Galaxies
Authors: Johnson Kelsey , Lee Janice
Published: October 2016

Do cycles of violent, intense, but short-lived bursts constitute a significant mode of global starformation in present-day galaxies? Such events can have a profound effect on galaxies, particularly those with shallowpotential wells, and observational measures of their prevalence inform our understanding of a wide range of issues ingalaxy evolution. I will highlight what we have learned about starbursts from multi-wavelength observations of galaxiesin the local volume on both galactic and smaller scales, and explore how connections with the study of the deaths ofmassive stars may further our understanding of open issues in galaxy evolution.
Inflow of atomic gas fuelling star formation
Authors: Michałowski M. J. , Gentile G. , Hjorth J. , Krumholz M. R. , Tanvir N. R. , Kamphuis P. , Burlon D. , Baes M. , Basa S. , Berta S. , Cerón J. M. Castro , Crosby D. , D'Elia V. , Elliott J. , Greiner J. , Hunt L. K. , Klose S. , Koprowski M. P. , Le Floc'h E. , Malesani D. , Murphy T. , Guelbenzu A. Nicuesa , Palazzi E. , Rasmussen J. , Rossi A. , Savaglio S. , Schady P. , de Ugarte Postigo A. , Watson D. , van der Werf P. , Vergani S. D. , Xu D.
Published: October 2016

Gamma-ray burst host galaxies are deficient in molecular gas, and show anomalous metal-poor regions close to GRB positions. Using recent Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) Hi observations we show that they have substantial atomic gas reservoirs. This suggests that star formation in these galaxies may be fuelled by recent inflow of metal-poor atomic gas. While this process is debated, it can happen in low-metallicity gas near the onset of star formation because gas cooling (necessary for star formation) is faster than the Hi-to-H2 conversion.
Stellar Explosions in High-surface Density Galaxies
Authors: Scannapieco Evan , Sur Sharanya , Ostriker Eve C.
Published: October 2016

High surface density, rapidly star-forming galaxies are observed to have ≈ 50 - 100 km s−1 line-of-sight velocity dispersions, which are much higher than expected from supernova driving alone, but may arise from large-scale gravitational instabilities. Using three-dimensional simulations of local regions of the interstellar medium, we explore the impact of high velocity dispersions that arise from these disk instabilities. Parametrizing disks by their surface densities and epicyclic frequencies, we conduct a series of simulations that probe a broad range of conditions. Turbulence is driven purely horizontally and on large scales, neglecting any energy input from supernovae.

We find that such motions lead to strong global outflows in the highly-compact disks that were common at high redshifts, but weak or negligible mass loss in the more diffuse disks that are prevalent today. Substantial outflows are generated if the one-dimensional horizontal velocity dispersion exceeds -35 km s−1, as occurs in the dense disks that have star formation rate densities above ≈ 0.1 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2. These outflows are triggered by a thermal runaway, arising from the inefficient cooling of hot material coupled with successive heating from turbulent driving. Thus, even in the absence of stellar feedback, a critical value of the star-formation rate density for outflow generation can arise due to a turbulent heating instability. This suggests that in strongly self-gravitating disks, outflows may be enhanced by, but need not caused by, energy input from stellar explosions.

These results are explained in more detailed in Sur, Scannapieco, & Ostriker (2015).
Type Ia Supernovae Strongly Interacting with Their Circumstellar Medium
Authors: Silverman Jeffrey M. , Nugent Peter , Gal-Yam Avishay , Howell D. A. , Sullivan Mark , Filippenko Alex
Published: October 2016

A rare subclass of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) shows evidence of strong interaction with a hydrogen-rich circumstellar medium (CSM); these objects are referred to as SNe Ia-CSM. PTF11kx began life as a SN Ia, but after a month it began to show indications of significant interaction with its CSM. This well-studied object solidified the connection between SNe Ia-CSM and more typical SNe Ia, despite their spectral similarity to Type IIn SNe (which likely come from massive star progenitors, as opposed to the white dwarf progenitors for the SNe Ia-CSM). The spectra of all ~20 known SNe Ia-CSM are dominated by Hα emission (with widths of ~2000 km s−1) and exhibit large Hα/Hβ intensity ratios; moreover, they have an almost complete lack of He I emission (see left panel of Figure 1). They also show possible evidence of dust formation through a decrease in the red wing of Hα 75–100 days past maximum brightness. The absolute magnitudes of SNe Ia-CSM are found to be -21.3 mag ≤ MR ≤ −19 mag (see right panel of Figure 1), and they also show ultraviolet emission at early times and strong infrared emission at late times (but no detected radio or X-ray emission). Finally, the host galaxies of SNe Ia-CSM imply that these objects come from a relatively young stellar population.
Extinction curves of GRB environment with the X-shooter
Authors: Gomboc Andreja , Japelj Jure , Covino Stefano
Published: October 2016

Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) can be used as a powerful tool to study galactic environments at different epochs of the Universe's evolution, thanks to their bright afterglow emission ranging from X-rays to optical and radio wavebands. Important aspect of the environment is dust, which plays a central role in the astrophysical processes of interstellar medium and in the formation of stars. GRBs can be a unique probe of dust at cosmological distances, where its origin and properties are still poorly known. By using a sample of GRB afterglow spectra observed with the VLT/X-shooter spectrograph we studied the rest-frame extinction in GRB lines-of-sight by modelling the broadband near-infrared to X-ray afterglow spectral energy distributions. We present our results on the rest-frame extinction of our sample, and illustrate that the spectroscopic data, thanks to a combination of excellent resolution and coverage of the blue part of the spectral energy distributions, are more successful than photometric measurements in constraining the extinction curves and therefore the dust properties in GRB hosts.
Stripped-envelope supernova rates and host-galaxy properties
Authors: Graur Or , Bianco F. B. , Modjaz M. , Maoz D. , Shivvers I. , Filippenko A. V. , Li W.
Published: October 2016

The progenitors of stripped-envelope supernovae (SNe Ibc) remain to be conclsuively identified, but correlations between SN rates and host-galaxy properties can constrain progenitor models. Here, we present one result from a re-analysis of the rates from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search. Galaxies with stellar masses ≲1010 M⊙ are less efficient at producing SNe Ibc than more massive galaxies. Any progenitor scenario must seek to explain this new observation.
Hunting for the faintest hosts of the brightest supernovae
Authors: Angus Charlotte R. , Levan Andrew J. , Perley Daniel A.
Published: October 2016

Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) are an emerging class of SNe that exhibit luminosities exceeding those of SN Ia by an order of magnitude and have light curves with characteristic timescales of hundreds of days. Here we present observations of the host galaxies of 21 SLSNe observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, and show that their ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (nIR) luminosities and sizes and very different from those of the hosts of other core collapse events, with significant implications for their progenitors.
Exploring the Environment of the most powerful Explosions
Authors: Cucchiara Antonino , Rafelski Mark , Fumagalli Michele , Kocevski Daniel , Prochaska Jason X. , Cooke Ryan J. , Becker G. D.
Published: October 2016

More than 60 GRBs at z ≳ 1.5 reside in the vicinity of dense, cold gas as probed by the measured neutral hydrogen via afterglow absorption spectroscopy. We present the largest sample of GRB-DLAs to date in comparison with a sample of DLAs along quasars: the metallicity of the GRB hosts represents a unique tool to understand if this particular subset of galaxies can be the key ingredient for GRB formation (and massive stars) at any redshift as well as the overall cosmic star-formation rate. We show that GRB-DLAs live in a metal enriched environment, especially at z ≳ 4, likely the result of recent intense star formation and/or SNe episodes. We also derive that our metallicity measurements are broadly consistent with a mild metallicity bias for the GRB formation.
Emission-Line Diagnostics for Galaxies
Authors: Kewley Lisa J.
Published: October 2016

I will give an overview of the emission-line diagnostics used for star-forming galaxies. I will review the UV, optical, and IR diagnostics that can be used to yield information about the ISM conditions, star-formation properties, and power sources in GRB hosts, both globally, and with spatially-resolved data. I will discuss wide integral field spectroscopy and AO-led integral field spectroscopy on current and future telescopes, focusing on the insights to be gained on the properties of GRB sites.
Gamma-ray bursts from dusty regions with little molecular gas
Authors: Hatsukade Bunyo , Ohta Kouji , Endo Akira , Nakanishi Kouichiro , Tamura Yoichi , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Kohno Kotaro
Published: October 2016

We detected CO line and 1.2-mm continuum emission from the two GRB host galaxies (GRB 020819B and GRB 051022) by using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). This is the first case for detecting molecular gas emission in GRB hosts. The ratio of molecular gas to dust mass of the GRB 020819B site is significantly lower than those of the Milky Way and nearby star-forming galaxies, suggesting that the star-forming environment where the GRB occur is different from those in local galaxies. The possible reason is that much of the dense gas is dissipated by a strong interstellar ultraviolet radiation field.
Local environments of SNe Ic and Ic-BL
Authors: Selsing Jonatan , Christensen Lise , Thöne Christina , Modjaz Maryam
Published: October 2016

We have observed the local explosion environments of a sample Type Ic and Type Ic-BL Supernove (SNe) selected from both targeted and non-targeted surveys using VLT/VIMOS in IFU-mode. It is believed that by probing the local surroundings of the parent stellar populations of these types of SNe, valuable information can be gained about the physical conditions, which affect the type of SNe produced. The different kinds of SNe produced are determined by the initial mass and metallicity of the stellar progenitor, as well as by the metallicity-dependent mass loss in the stellar winds at the end phase of their evolution and the interaction with a sufficiently close companion star.
The Gravitational Wave Symphony of Structure Formation: Overview
Authors: Lazio T. Joseph W. , Burke-Spolaor Sarah
Published: October 2016

This Focus Meeting was designed to lie at the scientific intersection of structure formation and gravitational wave studies. In broad-strokes terms, binary supermassive black holes (BSMBHs) and cosmic strings may both play a central role in shaping the Universe as we know it.
Effects of the Central Density Profile and the Stellar Mass Function of Merging Galaxies on Eccentricities and Coalescence Times of Supermassive Black Hole Binaries
Authors: Khan Fazeel Mahmood , Berczik Peter , Just Andreas
Published: October 2016

If able to coalesce in a Hubble time, Supermassive Black hole (SMBH) binaries are very promising sources of gravitational waves (GW). Our earlier studies have shown that SMBH binaries coalesce in post-merger galactic nuclei having triaxial or axisymmetric geometry in a few billion years. In this study, we model the complete evolution of SMBH binaries formed as a result of galaxy mergers having central density profiles that vary from shallow to very steep including a stellar mass function. Energy and angular momentum loss due to GW emission is taken into account using the post-Newtonian approximation. We carry out ten such simulations for each central density profile. The eccentricity of the SMBH binaries remain very high in shallow cusps and decrease systematically for steeper cusps. The coalescence times range from 0.6 to 1.5 Gyr with shorter times for steeper profiles. Typical coalescence times less than a Gyr strengthen our expectation that SMBH binaries should be very promising sources of GW radiation over a wide redshift range.
Search for Ultralight Scalar Dark Matter from Pulsar Timing
Authors: Postnov Konstantin , Porayko Nataliya
Published: October 2016

We perform a Bayesian analysis of pulsar-timing residuals from the NANOGrav pulsar-timing array to search for a specific form of stochastic narrow-band signal produced by oscillating gravitational potential (Gravitational Potential Background) in the Galactic halo. Such oscillations arise in models of warm dark matter composed of an ultralight massive scalar field (m ≃ 10−23 eV). The propagation of an electromagnetic signal from a pulsar through the time-dependent spacetime will leave an imprint in the pulsar timing, much like a gravitational wave. From the physical point of view, this is the classical Sachs-Wolfe effect. A distinctive feature of the pulsar-timing residuals due to GBP produced by a variable scalar field is that the amplitude of the TOA residuals should be independent of the pulsar location in the sky. In the monochromatic approximation, the stringent upper limit (95% C.L.) on the variable gravitational potential amplitude is found to be (Ψc<1.14 × 10−15), corresponding to the characteristic strain hc = 2$\sqrt{3}$Ψc < 4 × 10−15 at f=1.75 × 10−8 Hz. In the narrow-band approximation, the upper limit of this background energy density is ΩGPB < 1.27 × 10−9 at f=1.75 × 10−8 Hz. These limits are an order of magnitude higher than the expected signal amplitude assuming all Galactic dark matter is made of such scalar particles. The applied analysis of the pulsar-timing residuals can be used to search for any narrow-band stochastic signals with different correlation properties. As a by-product, parameters of the red noise present in four NANOGrav pulsars were found.
Precision Pulsar Timing with NASA's Deep Space Network
Authors: Teitelbaum Lawrence , Majid Walid , Franco Manuel M. , Hoppe Daniel J. , Horiuchi Shinji , Lazio T. Joseph W.
Published: October 2016

Millisecond pulsars (MSPs) are a class of radio pulsars with extremely stable rotation. Their excellent timing stability can be used to study a wide variety of astrophysical phenomena. In particular, a large sample of these pulsars can be used to detect low-frequency gravitational waves. We have developed a precision pulsar timing backend for the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN), which will allow the use of short gaps in tracking schedules to time pulses from an ensemble of MSPs. The DSN operates clusters of large dish antennas (up to 70-m in diameter), located roughly equidistant around the Earth, for communication and tracking of deep-space spacecraft. The backend system will be capable of removing entirely the dispersive effects of propagation of radio waves through the interstellar medium in real-time. We will describe our development work, initial results, and prospects for future observations over the next few years.
The maximum spin of Millisecond Pulsar and the gravitational wave
Authors: Zhang C. M.
Published: October 2016

The gravitational wave radiation will release the energy momentum, which will dissipate the rotation of neutron star while in the accretion process. If the deformation of star is known, then we can estimate the maximum spin frequency of pulsar, based on which we can interpret why the spin periods of all millisecond pulsars cannot be less than one millisecond.
Origins of water in the Solar System leading to habitable worlds
Authors: Meech Karen
Published: October 2016

Life on Earth depends on an aqueous biochemistry, and water is a key component of habitability on Earth and for likely other habitable environments in the solar system. While water is ubiquitous in the interstellar medium, and plays a key role in protoplanetary disk chemistry, the inner solar system is relatively dry. We now have evidence for potentially thousands of extrasolar planets, dozens of which may be located in their host stars habitable zones. Understanding how planets in the habitable zone accrete their water, is key to understanding the likelihood for habitability. Given that many disk models show that Earth formed inside the water-ice snow line of our solar system, understanding how the inner solar system received its water is important for understanding the potential for other planetary systems to host habitable worlds. Boundaries for the timing of the water delivery are constrained by cosmochemistry and geochemistry. Possible scenarios for the delivery of water to the inner solar system include adsorption on dust from protoplanetary disk gas, chemical reactions on the early earth, and delivery from planetesimals forming outside the water-ice snow line. This talk will set the stage for understanding the isotopic and geochemical markers along with the dynamical delivery mechanisms that will help uncover the origins of Earths water. This introduction will provide an overview for understanding the distribution of water in the solar system, in particular for the inner solar system and terrestrial planets Xand the details will be developed in the subsequent talks. Additionally information will be presented regarding new inner solar system reservoirs of water that can shed light on origins (the main belt comets), and new research about water in the Earth.
Cool giants and supergiants as probes of the chemical evolution of the Milky Way
Authors: Origlia Livia
Published: October 2016

This short review is intended to be a snapshot of some recent observational facts and open questions regarding the study of chemical evolution in the innermost regions of the Milky Way, as traced by spectroscopy of cool giant and supergiant stars.