scholarly journals High-resolution near-IR imaging of the WCD(+OB) environments: pinwheels

2003 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
pp. 121-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter G. Tuthill ◽  
John D. Monnier ◽  
William C. Danchi ◽  
Nils H. Turner
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Dust Formation ◽  
Near Ir ◽  
Ir Imaging ◽  
Fundamental Information

A small number of Wolf-Rayet colliding-wind binaries studied at extremely high angular resolution show elegant dust plumes with an intuitive geometry: that of an Archimedian spiral. A great deal of fundamental information on the binary and the winds is encoded, ultimately teaching us about dust formation and wind-wind collision zones in these fascinating systems. New results are presented summarizing a concerted campaign encompassing a number of systems studied with various techniques over the last five years.

scholarly journals Near-IR Solar Coronal Observations with New-Technology Reflecting Coronographs

1994 ◽  
Vol 154 ◽  
pp. 603-608
Author(s):  
Raymond N. Smartt ◽  
Serge Koutchmy ◽  
Jacques-Clair NoëNs
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Objective Lens ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Intrinsic Polarization ◽  
Near Ir

Emission-line and K-coronal observations in the IR have the significant advantage of reduced sky brightness compared with the visible, while the effects of seeing are also reduced. Moreover, strong lines are available in the near-IR. Examples of the current capabilities of IR coronal observations using conventional Lyot coronagraphs are discussed briefly. Photometric measurements using the two IR lines of Fe XIII (10,747 Å and 10,798 Å), together with the Fe XIII 3,388 Å line, have provided a valuable electron-density diagnostic, but with low-angular-resolution. The 10,747 Å line has high intrinsic polarization. It has been used for extensive coronal magnetic field measurements, but only the direction of the field, and that with modest angular resolution, has been achieved due basically to flux limitations. Such studies suffer from the lack of high angular resolution and high photon flux. Moreover, the chromatic properties of a singlet objective lens preclude simultaneous observations at widely-differing wavelengths of the important inner coronal region. A coronagraph based on a mirror objective avoids such problems. Further, comparatively high-resolution and high-sensitivity arrays are now available with quantum efficiencies up to 90%. Reflecting coronagraphs with advanced arrays then provide the possibility of obtaining high-resolution images in the infrared to carry out a wide variety of studies crucial to many of the outstanding problems in coronal physics. A program for the development of reflecting coronagraphs is described briefly, with an emphasis on applications to IR coronal studies.

Zooming into the complex dusty envelopes of C-rich AGB stars

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S343) ◽  
pp. 456-457
Author(s):  
Foteini Lykou ◽  
Josef Hron ◽  
Daniela Klotz
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Dust Formation ◽  
Agb Stars ◽  
Circumstellar Envelopes ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Multi Wavelength

AbstractRecent advances in high-angular resolution instruments (VLT and VLTI, ALMA) have enabled us to delve deep into the circumstellar envelopes of AGB stars from the optical to the sub-mm wavelengths, thus allowing us to study in detail the gas and dust formation zones (e.g., their geometry, chemistry and kinematics). This work focuses on four (4) C-rich AGB stars observed with a high-angular resolution technique in the near-infrared: a multi-wavelength tomographic study of the dusty layers of the circumstellar envelopes of these C-rich stars, i.e. the variations in the morphology and temperature distribution.

scholarly journals Review of Linked Array Instruments

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 551-552
Author(s):  
R.D. Ekers
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Research Tool ◽  
Aperture Synthesis ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Radio Telescopes ◽  
Astronomical Research ◽  
Full Operation ◽  
New Facilities

At cm wavelengths aperture synthesis radio-telescopes (arrays of linked antennas which synthesize an image of the sky with high angular resolution) are now becoming the dominant astronomical research tool. Major new facilities such as the VLA are in full operation, others such as the Australia Telescope are nearing completion and a number of telescopes designed to form images in real time have been converted to operate in the aperture synthesis mode (e.g. MOST, Bologna Cross). See Napier et al. (1983) for a review of modern synthesis telescopes. The high resolution, sensitivity and freedom from confusion have led the aperture synthesis telescopes into very diverse astronomical applications.

Imaging the dust and the gas around Mira using ALMA and SPHERE/ZIMPOL

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S343) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Theo Khouri ◽  
Wouter H. T. Vlemmings ◽  
Hans Olofsson ◽  
Christian Ginski ◽  
Elvire De Beck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Formation Process ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Stellar Disk ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Dust Formation ◽  
Loss Mechanism ◽  
Polarised Light ◽  
Visible Wavelengths

AbstractThe mass-loss mechanism of asymptotic giant branch stars has long been thought to rely on two processes: stellar pulsations and dust formation. The details of the mass-loss mechanism have remained elusive, however, because of the overall complexity of the dust formation process in the very dynamical pulsation-enhanced atmosphere. Recently, our understanding of AGB stars and the associated mass loss has evolved significantly, thanks both to new instruments which allow sensitive and high-angular-resolution observations and the development of models for the convective AGB envelopes and the dust formation process. ALMA and SPHERE/ZIMPOL on the VLT have been very important instruments in driving this advance in the last few years by providing high-angular resolution images in the sub-mm and visible wavelengths, respectively. I will present observations obtained using these instruments at the same epoch (2.5 weeks apart) of the AGB star Mira that resolve even the stellar disk. The ALMA data reveals the distribution and dynamics of the gas around the star, while the polarised light imaged using SPHERE shows the distribution of the dust grains expected to drive the outflows. Moreover, the observations show a central source surrounded by asymmetric distributions of gas and dust, with complementary structures seen in the two components. We model the observed CO v = 1, J = 3−2 line to determine the density, temperature and velocity of gas close to the star. This model is then used to estimate the abundance of AlO. Our results show that only a very small fraction of aluminium (≲0.1%) is locked in AlO molecules. We also calculate models to fit the observed polarised light based on the gas densities we find. The low level of visible-light polarisation detected using ZIMPOL implies that, at the time of the observations, aluminium atoms are either not efficiently depleted into dust or the aluminium-oxide grains are relatively small (≲0.02μm).

scholarly journals Introduction to the Joint Commission Meeting on High Resolution Imaging from the Ground

1989 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 545-546
Author(s):  
John Davis
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
High Resolution Imaging ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Resolution Images ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Optical Wavelengths ◽  
To Come ◽  
Very High

As a result of advances in instrumentation and techniques, from radio through to optical wavelengths, we have before us the prospect of producing very high resolution images of a wide range of objects across this entire spectral range. This prospect, and the new knowledge and discoveries that may be anticipated from it, lie behind an upsurge in interest in high resolution imaging from the ground. Several new high angular resolution instruments for radio, infrared, and optical wavelengths are expected to come into operation before the 1991 IAU General Assembly.

Investigation of the Chromosphere–Corona Interface with the Upgraded Very High Angular Resolution Ultraviolet Telescope (VAULT2.0)

2016 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 1640003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelos Vourlidas ◽  
Samuel Tun Beltran ◽  
Georgios Chintzoglou ◽  
Kevin Eisenhower ◽  
Clarence Korendyke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Solar Spectrum ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
High Resolution Data ◽  
Lyman Alpha ◽  
And Performance ◽  
White Sands ◽  
Very High ◽  
Resolution Data

Very high angular resolution ultraviolet telescope (VAULT2.0) is a Lyman-alpha (Ly[Formula: see text]; 1216[Formula: see text]Å) spectroheliograph designed to observe the upper chromospheric region of the solar atmosphere with high spatial ([Formula: see text]) and temporal (8[Formula: see text]s) resolution. Besides being the brightest line in the solar spectrum, Ly[Formula: see text] emission arises at the temperature interface between coronal and chromospheric plasmas and may, hence, hold important clues about the transfer of mass and energy to the solar corona. VAULT2.0 is an upgrade of the previously flown VAULT rocket and was launched successfully on September 30, 2014 from White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). The target was AR12172 midway toward the southwestern limb. We obtained 33 images at 8[Formula: see text]s cadence at arc second resolution due to hardware problems. The science campaign was a resounding success, with all space and ground-based instruments obtaining high-resolution data at the same location within the AR. We discuss the science rationale, instrument upgrades, and performance during the first flight and present some preliminary science results.

scholarly journals Radio Source Variability as a Tool for Very High Resolution

1994 ◽  
Vol 158 ◽  
pp. 201-203
Author(s):  
N. Shapirovskaya ◽  
O. B. Slee ◽  
P. Hughes ◽  
G. Tsarevsky
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Radio Source ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Intrinsic Variability ◽  
Interstellar Plasma ◽  
Very High

If flux density variability is intrinsic to extragalactic sources, then the shortest time scale of the variability yields an extremely high angular resolution. There is, however, good evidence that some of the variability is due to refractive scintillation in our galaxy's interstellar plasma turbulence. The effect, initially discovered at low radio frequencies, is here shown to extend into the GHz band, which, up to now, has been assumed to display only the intrinsic variability. We conclude that further study in both the intermediate and high frequency bands needed to separate the intrinsic and extrinsic components of variability.

scholarly journals Lunar occultation measurements of stellar angular diameters

1997 ◽  
Vol 189 ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Richichi
Keyword(s):  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Straight Edge ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Lunar Occultation ◽  
Near Ir ◽  
Angular Extent ◽  
Free Environment ◽  
Productive Method ◽  
Angular Diameters

Offering an angular resolution which has remained unattained by any other technique for decades, lunar occultations have traditionally been the most productive method for the measurement of stellar angular diameters. Unlike interferometric methods, which are limited in resolution by the size of the aperture or of the baseline between apertures, in a lunar occultation the key to high angular resolution is the phenomenon of diffraction by a straight edge, that occurs at the Moon's limb in a turbulence-free environment. For the reader not familiar with the physics and technical aspects of the lunar occultation (LO) technique, it is sufficient here to show in Fig. 1 some practical examples of occultation lightcurves for sources with different angular diameters. It can be noted that the contrast of the fringes is maximum for a point-like source; it then decreases with the angular diameter, and eventually reaches the regime of a monotonic drop in the signal-as predicted by simple geometrical optics- when the angular extent of the source is large. In practice, the LO method is well suited to measure angular diameters in the range 1 to 50 milliarcseconds (mas). There is no real limitation concerning the wavelength of observation, although at present the near-IR is the region of choice for several different reasons (Richichi 1994).

scholarly journals NuSTAR observations of four nearby X-ray faint AGNs: low luminosity or heavy obscuration?

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 229-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Annuar ◽  
D M Alexander ◽  
P Gandhi ◽  
G B Lansbury ◽  
D Asmus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Current Data ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ir Imaging ◽  
Nuclear Dust

ABSTRACT We present NuSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) observations of four active galactic nuclei (AGNs) located within 15 Mpc. These AGNs, namely ESO 121-G6, NGC 660, NGC 3486, and NGC 5195, have observed X-ray luminosities of L2–10 keV,obs ≲ 1039 erg s−1, classifying them as low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN). We perform broad-band X-ray spectral analysis for the AGN by combining our NuSTAR data with Chandra or XMM–Newton observations to directly measure their column densities (NH) and infer their intrinsic power. We complement our X-ray data with archival and new high-angular resolution mid-infrared (mid-IR) data for all objects, except NGC 5195. Based on our X-ray spectral analysis, we found that both ESO 121-G6 and NGC 660 are heavily obscured (NH > 1023 cm−2; L2–10 keV,int ∼ 1041 erg s−1), and NGC 660 may be Compton thick. We also note that the X-ray flux and spectral slope for ESO 121-G6 have significantly changed over the last decade, indicating significant changes in the obscuration and potentially accretion rate. On the other hand, NGC 3486 and NGC 5195 appear to be unobscured and just mildly obscured, respectively, with L2–10 keV,int < 1039 erg s−1, i.e. genuine LLAGN. Both of the heavily obscured AGNs have Lbol > 1041 erg s−1 and λEdd ≳ 10−3, and are detected in high-angular resolution mid-IR imaging, indicating the presence of obscuring dust on nuclear scale. NGC 3486, however, is undetected in high-resolution mid-IR imaging, and the current data do not provide stringent constraints on the presence or absence of obscuring nuclear dust in the AGN.

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