scholarly journals Contrast sensitivities in the Gaia Data Release 2

2019 ◽  
Vol 621 ◽  
pp. A86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Brandeker ◽  
Gianni Cataldi
Keyword(s):  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Angular Separation ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Source Detection ◽  
Source Density ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Data Products ◽  
Source Confusion ◽  
Photometric Monitoring ◽  
Bright Source

The source detection sensitivity of Gaia is reduced near sources. To characterise this contrast sensitivity is important for understanding the completeness of the Gaia data products, in particular when evaluating source confusion in lower resolution surveys such as photometric monitoring for transits. Here, we statistically evaluate the catalogue source density to determine the Gaia Data Release 2 source detection sensitivity as a function of angular separation and brightness ratio from a bright source. The contrast sensitivity from ∼0.4″ out to 12″ ranges in ΔG = 0–14 mag. We find the derived contrast sensitivity to be robust with respect to target brightness, colour, source density, and Gaia scan coverage.

scholarly journals Extinction and optical depth retrievals for CALIPSO's Version 4 data release

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 5701-5727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart A. Young ◽  
Mark A. Vaughan ◽  
Anne Garnier ◽  
Jason L. Tackett ◽  
James D. Lambeth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Depth ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
Orthogonal Polarization ◽  
Ice Clouds ◽  
Extinction Coefficients ◽  
Retrieval Algorithms ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Data Products ◽  
Lidar Ratio ◽  
Level 2

Abstract. The Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) on board the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite has been making near-global height-resolved measurements of cloud and aerosol layers since mid-June 2006. Version 4.10 (V4) of the CALIOP data products, released in November 2016, introduces extensive upgrades to the algorithms used to retrieve the spatial and optical properties of these layers, and thus there are both obvious and subtle differences between V4 and previous data releases. This paper describes the improvements made to the extinction retrieval algorithms and illustrates the impacts of these changes on the extinction and optical depth estimates reported in the CALIPSO lidar level 2 data products. The lidar ratios for both aerosols and ice clouds are generally higher than in previous data releases, resulting in generally higher extinction coefficients and optical depths in V4. A newly implemented algorithm for retrieving extinction coefficients in opaque layers is described and its impact examined. Precise lidar ratio estimates are also retrieved in these opaque layers. For semi-transparent cirrus clouds, comparisons between CALIOP V4 optical depths and the optical depths reported by MODIS collection 6 show substantial improvements relative to earlier comparisons between CALIOP version 3 and MODIS collection 5.

scholarly journals Galactic Archeology with RAVE and TGAS

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S334) ◽  
pp. 116-119
Author(s):  
Matthias Steinmetz ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocities ◽  
Proper Motions ◽  
Basic Properties ◽  
Gaia Dr1 ◽  
Disk Structure ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Data Products ◽  
Derived Data ◽  
Astrometric Data

AbstractThe 5th RAVE data release is based on 520,781 spectra (R ≈ 7500 in the CaT region at 8410 - 8795Å) of 457,588 unique stars. RAVE DR5 provides radial velocities, stellar parameters and individual abundances for up to seven elements and distances found using isochrones for a considerable subset of these objects. In particular, RAVE DR5 has 255,922 stellar observations that also have parallaxes and proper motions from the Tycho-Gaia astrometric solution (TGAS) in Gaia DR1. The combination of RAVE and TGAS thus provides the currently largest overlap of spectroscopic and space-based astrometric data and thus can serve as a formidable preview of what Gaia is going to deliver in coming data releases. Basic properties of the RAVE+TGAS survey and its derived data products are presented as well as first applications w.r.t wave-like patterns in the disk structure. An outlook to the 6th RAVE data release is given.

Macaque vision after magnocellular lateral geniculate lesions

1990 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 347-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Merigan ◽  
John H.R. Maunsell
Keyword(s):  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Visual Motion ◽  
Ibotenic Acid ◽  
Visual Sensitivity ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Magnocellular Pathway ◽  
M Cell ◽  
Lateral Geniculate ◽  
Spatio Temporal

AbstractIbotenic-acid lesions of the magnocelluar portion of the macaque lateral geniculate nucleus were used to examine the role of the M-cell pathway in spatio-temporal contrast sensitivity. A lesion was place in layer 1 of the lateral geniculate of each of two monkeys. Physiological mapping in one animal demonstrated that the visual-field locus of the lesion was on the horizontal meridian, approximately 6 deg in the temporal field. Visual thresholds were tested monocularly in the contralateral eye, and fixation locus was monitored with a scleral search coil to control the retinal location of the test target.Three threshold measures were clearly disrupted by the magnocellular lesions. Contrast sensitivity for a 1 cycle/deg grating that drifted at 10 Hz was reduced from about twofold greater than, to about the same as, that for 10-Hz counterphase modulated gratings. Sensitivity for a very low spatial frequency (Gaussian blob), 10-Hz flickering stimulus was reduced so severely that no threshold could be measured. In addition, flicker resolution was greatly reduced at lower modulation depths (0.22), but not at higher depths (1.0). Two of the measured thresholds were unaffected by the lesions. Contrast sensitivity for 2 cycle/deg stationary gratings remained intact, and little or no effect on sensitivity was found for 1 cycle/deg, 10-Hz counterphase modulated gratings.Together, these results suggest that the magnocellular pathway makes little contribution to visual sensitivity at low to moderate temporal frequencies. On the other hand, some contribution to detection sensitivity is evident at lower spatial and high temporal frequencies, especially for drifting stimuli. It appears that a major role of the magnocellular pathway may be to provide input to cortical mechanisms sensitive to rapid visual motion.

scholarly journals Blazars in the LOFAR Two-Metre Sky Survey first data release

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. A14 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mooney ◽  
J. Quinn ◽  
J. R. Callingham ◽  
R. Morganti ◽  
K. Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Index ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Sample Distribution ◽  
Sky Survey ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Frequency Regime ◽  
Source Confusion ◽  
Bl Lacs

Historically, the blazar population has been poorly understood at low frequencies because survey sensitivity and angular resolution limitations have made it difficult to identify megahertz counterparts. We used the LOFAR Two-Metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) first data release value-added catalogue (LDR1) to study blazars in the low-frequency regime with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution. We identified radio counterparts to all 98 known sources from the Third Fermi-LAT Point Source Catalogue (3FGL) or Roma-BZCAT Multi-frequency Catalogue of Blazars (5th edition) that fall within the LDR1 footprint. Only the 3FGL unidentified γ-ray sources (UGS) could not be firmly associated with an LDR1 source; this was due to source confusion. We examined the redshift and radio luminosity distributions of our sample, finding flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) to be more distant and more luminous than BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs) on average. Blazars are known to have flat spectra in the gigahertz regime but we found this to extend down to 144 MHz, where the radio spectral index, α, of our sample is −0.17 ± 0.14. For BL Lacs, α = −0.13 ± 0.16 and for FSRQs, α = −0.15 ± 0.17. We also investigated the radio-to-γ-ray connection for the 30 γ-ray-detected sources in our sample. We find Pearson’s correlation coefficient is 0.45 (p = 0.069). This tentative correlation and the flatness of the spectral index suggest that the beamed core emission contributes to the low-frequency flux density. We compare our sample distribution with that of the full LDR1 on colour-colour diagrams, and we use this information to identify possible radio counterparts to two of the four UGS within the LDR1 field. We will refine our results as LoTSS continues.

scholarly journals Gaia Data Release 2

2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. A197 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Roelens ◽  
L. Eyer ◽  
N. Mowlavi ◽  
L. Rimoldini ◽  
I. Lecoeur-Taïbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Cataclysmic Variables ◽  
Selection Criterion ◽  
La Palma ◽  
Short Timescale ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Photometric Monitoring ◽  
Frequency Search

Aims. We describe the methods used and the analysis performed in the frame of the Gaia data processing activities to produce the Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) sample candidates with short-timescale variability together with associated parameters. Methods. The Gaia DR2 sample of candidates with short-timescale variability results from the investigation of the first 22 months of Gaia G per-CCD, GBP, and GRP photometry for a subsample of sources at the Gaia faint end (G ~ 16.5−20 mag). For this first short-timescale variability search exploiting Gaia data, we limited ourselves to the case of suspected rapid periodic variability. Our study combines fast-variability detection through variogram analysis, a high-frequency search by means of least-squares periodograms, and an empirical selection based on the investigation of specific sources seen through the Gaia eyes (e.g., known variables or visually identified objects with peculiar features in their light curves). The progressive definition, improvement, and validation of this selection criterion also benefited from supplementary ground-based photometric monitoring of a few tens of preliminary candidates with short-timescale variability, performed at the Flemish Mercator telescope in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) between August and November 2017. Results. As part of Gaia DR2, we publish a list of 3018 candidates with short-timescale variability, spread throughout the sky, with a false-positive rate of up to 10–20% in the Magellanic Clouds, and a more significant but justifiable contamination from longer-period variables between 19% and 50%, depending on the area of the sky. Although its completeness is limited to about 0.05%, this first sample of Gaia short-timescale variables recovers some very interesting known short-period variables, such as post-common envelope binaries or cataclysmic variables, and brings to light some fascinating, newly discovered variable sources. In the perspective of future Gaia data releases, several improvements of the short-timescale variability processing are considered, by enhancing the existing variogram and period-search algorithms or by classifying the identified variability candidates. Nonetheless, the encouraging outcome of our Gaia DR2 analysis demonstrates the power of this mission for such fast-variability studies, and opens great perspectives for this domain of astrophysics.

scholarly journals Characterizing the Gaia radial velocity sample selection function in its native photometry

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (1) ◽  
pp. 397-409
Author(s):  
Jan Rybizki ◽  
Hans-Walter Rix ◽  
Markus Demleitner ◽  
Coryn A L Bailer-Jones ◽  
William J Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Apparent Magnitude ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Source Density ◽  
Dimensional Phase Space ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT The Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) radial velocity sample (GDR2RVS), which provides six-dimensional phase-space information on 7.2 million stars, is of great value for inferring properties of the Milky Way. Yet a quantitative and accurate modelling of this sample is hindered without knowledge and inclusion of a well-characterized selection function. Here we derive the selection function through estimates of the internal completeness, i.e. the ratio of GDR2RVS sources compared to all Gaia DR2 sources (GDR2all). We show that this selection function or ‘completeness’ depends on basic observables, in particular the apparent magnitude GRVS and colour G − GRP, but also on the surrounding source density and on sky position, where the completeness exhibits distinct small-scale structure. We identify a region of magnitude and colour that has high completeness, providing an approximate but simple way of implementing the selection function. For a more rigorous and detailed description we provide python code to query our selection function, as well as tools and adql queries that produce custom selection functions with additional quality cuts.

scholarly journals The XMM-Newton serendipitous survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A136 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Webb ◽  
M. Coriat ◽  
I. Traulsen ◽  
J. Ballet ◽  
C. Motch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Source Detection ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Sky Surveys ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Science Centre ◽  
Data Products

Context. Sky surveys produce enormous quantities of data on extensive regions of the sky. The easiest way to access this information is through catalogues of standardised data products. XMM-Newton has been surveying the sky in the X-ray, ultra-violet, and optical bands for 20 years. Aims. The XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre has been producing standardised data products and catalogues to facilitate access to the serendipitous X-ray sky. Methods. Using improved calibration and enhanced software, we re-reduced all of the 14 041 XMM-Newton X-ray observations, of which 11 204 observations contained data with at least one detection and with these we created a new, high quality version of the XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue, 4XMM-DR9. Results. 4XMM-DR9 contains 810 795 detections down to a detection significance of 3σ, of which 550 124 are unique sources, which cover 1152 degrees2 (2.85%) of the sky. Filtering 4XMM-DR9 to retain only the cleanest sources with at least a 5σ detection significance leaves 433 612 detections. Of these detections, 99.6% have no pileup. Furthermore, 336 columns of information on each detection are provided, along with images. The quality of the source detection is shown to have improved significantly with respect to previous versions of the catalogues. Spectra and lightcurves are also made available for more than 288 000 of the brightest sources (36% of all detections).

scholarly journals The third data release of the Kilo-Degree Survey and associated data products

2017 ◽  
Vol 604 ◽  
pp. A134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelte T. A. de Jong ◽  
Gijs A. Verdoes Kleijn ◽  
Thomas Erben ◽  
Hendrik Hildebrandt ◽  
Konrad Kuijken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Third ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Data Products ◽  
Associated Data

scholarly journals Optimal Multiwavelength Source Detection: Experience Gained from the WISE Mission

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Marsh ◽  
T. H. Jarrett
Keyword(s):  
Neutral Hydrogen ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Source Spectrum ◽  
Source Detection ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Data Cubes ◽  
Hydrogen Emission ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Potential Benefits

AbstractWe discuss the optimal detection of point sources from multiwavelength imaging data using an approach, referred to as MDET, which requires no prior knowledge of the source spectrum. MDET may be regarded as a somewhat more general version of the so-called ‘chi-squared’ technique. We describe the theoretical basis of the technique, and show examples of its performance with four-channel infrared broadband imaging data from the WISE mission. We also discuss the potential benefits of applying it to the multifrequency data cubes of the ASKAP surveys, and suggest that it could increase the detection sensitivity of searches for neutral hydrogen emission at moderately high redshifts.

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