scholarly journals Component properties and mutual orbit of binary main-belt comet 288P/(300163) 2006 VW139

2020 ◽  
Vol 643 ◽  
pp. A152
Author(s):  
J. Agarwal ◽  
Y. Kim ◽  
D. Jewitt ◽  
M. Mutchler ◽  
H. Weaver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Mass ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Causal Connection ◽  
Binary Asteroid ◽  
Function Fitting ◽  
Spread Function ◽  
Prolate Spheroids ◽  
Yorp Effect ◽  
Geometric Albedo ◽  
Perihelion Passage

Context. The binary asteroid 288P/(300163) is unusual both for its combination of wide-separation and high mass ratio and for its comet-like activity. It is not currently known whether there is a causal connection between the activity and the unusual orbit or if instead the activity helped to overcome a strong detection bias against such sub-arcsecond systems. Aims. We aim to find observational constraints discriminating between possible formation scenarios and to characterise the physical properties of the system components. Methods. We measured the component separation and brightness using point spread function fitting to high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 images from 25 epochs between 2011 and 2020. We constrained component sizes and shapes from the photometry, and we fitted a Keplerian orbit to the separation as a function of time. Results. Approximating the components A and B as prolate spheroids with semi-axis lengths a < b and assuming a geometric albedo of 0.07, we find aA ≤ 0.6 km, bA ≥ 1.4 km, aB ≤ 0.5 km, and bB ≥ 0.8 km. We find indications that the dust production may have concentrated around B and that the mutual orbital period may have changed by 1–2 days during the 2016 perihelion passage. Orbit solutions have semi-major axes in the range of (105–109) km, eccentricities between 0.41 and 0.51, and periods of (117.3–117.5) days pre-perihelion and (118.5–119.5) days post-perihelion, corresponding to system masses in the range of (6.67–7.23) × 1012 kg. The mutual and heliocentric orbit planes are roughly aligned. Conclusions. Based on the orbit alignment, we infer that spin-up of the precursor by the Yarkovsky-O’Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect led to the formation of the binary system. We disfavour (but cannot exclude) a scenario of very recent formation where activity was directly triggered by the break-up, because our data support a scenario with a single active component.

scholarly journals Ks-band, 2.14-µm Imaging of Southern Massive Star Formation Regions Traced by Methanol Masers

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. N. Longmore ◽  
M. G. Burton
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Point Source ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Stellar Content ◽  
Massive Star Formation ◽  
Function Fitting ◽  
Spread Function ◽  
Methanol Masers ◽  
Star Formation Regions

AbstractWe present deep, wide-field, Ks-band (2.14-μm) images towards 87 southern massive star formation regions traced by methanol maser emission. Using point-spread function fitting, we generate 2.14-μm point source catalogues (PSCs) towards each of the regions. For the regions between 10° < l < 350° and |b| < 1, we match the 2.14-μm sources with the GLIMPSE point source catalogue to generate a combined 2.14- to 8.0-μm point source catalogue. We provide this data for the astronomical community to utilise in studies of the stellar content of embedded clusters.

scholarly journals The Point Spread Function Variations inside Wide-field Astonomical Images

10.14311/1696 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Anisimova ◽  
Jan Bednář ◽  
Petr Páta
Keyword(s):  
Point Spread Function ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Optical Aberrations ◽  
Atmospheric Scattering ◽  
Function Fitting ◽  
Astronomical Imaging ◽  
Point Spread ◽  
Spread Function ◽  
Field Imaging

The Point Spread Function (PSF) of the astronomical imaging system is usually approximated by a Gaussian or Moffat function. For simplification, the astronomical imaging system is considered to be time and space invariant. This means that invariable PSF within an exposed image is assumed. If real wide-field imaging systems are considered, this presumption is not fulfilled. In real systems, stronger optical aberrations are expected (especially coma) at greater distances from the center of the captured image. This impacts the efficiency of stellar astrometry and photometry algorithms, so it is necessary to know the PSF variation. In this paper, we perform the first step toward assigning PSF changes: we study the dependence of the Moffat function fitting parameters (FWHM and the atmospheric scattering coefficient ) on the position of a stellar object.

scholarly journals Dense cores in the Seahorse infrared dark cloud: physical properties from modified blackbody fits to the far-infrared–submillimetre spectral energy distributions

2020 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. A82
Author(s):  
O. Miettinen
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Spectral Energy Distributions ◽  
Energy Distributions ◽  
Dense Cores

Context. Infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) can be the birth sites of high-mass stars, and hence determining the physical properties of dense cores in IRDCs is useful to constrain the initial conditions and theoretical models of high-mass star formation. Aims. We aim to determine the physical properties of dense cores in the filamentary Seahorse IRDC G304.74+01.32. Methods. We used data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), and Herschel in conjuction with our previous 350 and 870 μm observations with the Submillimetre APEX Bolometer Camera (SABOCA) and Large APEX BOlometer CAmera, and constructed the far-IR to submillimetre spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the cores. The SEDs were fitted using single or two-temperature modified blackbody emission curves to derive the dust temperatures, masses, and luminosities of the cores. Results. For the 12 analysed cores, which include two IR dark cores (no WISE counterpart), nine IR bright cores, and one H II region, the mean dust temperature of the cold (warm) component, the mass, luminosity, H2 number density, and surface density were derived to be 13.3 ± 1.4 K (47.0 ± 5.0 K), 113 ± 29 M⊙, 192 ± 94 L⊙, (4.3 ± 1.2) × 105 cm−3, and 0.77 ± 0.19 g cm−3, respectively. The H II region IRAS 13039-6108a was found to be the most luminous source in our sample ((1.1 ± 0.4) × 103 L⊙). All the cores were found to be gravitationally bound (i.e. the virial parameter αvir < 2). Two out of the nine analysed IR bright cores (22%) were found to follow an accretion luminosity track under the assumptions that the mass accretion rate is 10−5 M⊙ yr−1, the stellar mass is 10% of the parent core mass, and the radius of the central star is 5 R⊙. Most of the remaing ten cores were found to lie within 1 dex below this accretion luminosity track. Seven out of 12 of the analysed cores (58%) were found to lie above the mass-radius thresholds of high-mass star formation proposed in the literature. The surface densities of Σ > 0.4 g cm−3 derived for these seven cores also exceed the corresponding threshold for high-mass star formation. Five of the analysed cores (42%) show evidence of fragmentation into two components in the SABOCA 350 μm image. Conclusions. In addition to the H II region source IRAS 13039-6108a, some of the other cores in Seahorse also appear to be capable of giving birth to high-mass stars. The 22 μm dark core SMM 9 is likely to be the youngest source in our sample that has the potential to form a high-mass star (96 ± 23 M⊙ within a radius of ~0.1 pc). The dense core population in the Seahorse IRDC has comparable average properties to the cores in the well-studied Snake IRDC G11.11-0.12 (e.g. Tdust and L agree within a factor of ~1.8); furthermore, the Seahorse, which lies ~60 pc above the Galactic plane, appears to be a smaller (e.g. three times shorter in projection, ~100 times less massive) version of the Snake. The Seahorse core fragmentation mechanisms appear to be heterogenous, including cases of both thermal and non-thermal Jeans instability. High-resolution follow-up studies are required to address the fragmented cores’ genuine potential of forming high-mass stars.

Improving position accuracy for telescopes with small aperture and wide field of view utilizing point spread function modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (3) ◽  
pp. 4000-4008
Author(s):  
Rongyu Sun ◽  
Shengxian Yu ◽  
Peng Jia ◽  
Changyin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Point Spread Function ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Position Measurement ◽  
Small Aperture ◽  
Position Accuracy ◽  
Point Spread ◽  
Wide Field Of View ◽  
Spread Function

ABSTRACT Telescopes with a small aperture and a wide field of view are widely used and play a significant role in large-scale state-of-the-art sky survey applications, such as transient detection and near-Earth object observations. However, owing to the specific defects caused by optical aberrations, the image quality and efficiency of source detection are affected. To achieve high-accuracy position measurements, an innovative technique is proposed. First, a large number of raw images are analysed using principal component analysis. Then, the effective point spread function is reconstructed, which reflects the state of the telescope and reveals the characteristics of the imaging process. Finally, based on the point spread function model, the centroids of star images are estimated iteratively. To test the efficiency and reliability of our algorithm, a large number of simulated images are produced, and a telescope with small aperture and wide field of view is utilized to acquire the raw images. The position measurement of sources is performed using our novel method and two other common methods on these data. Based on a comparison of the results, the improvement is investigated, and it is demonstrated that our proposed technique outperforms the others on position accuracy. We explore the limitations and potential gains that may be achieved by applying this technique to custom systems designed specifically for wide-field astronomical applications.

scholarly journals Constraints on the spin-pole orientation, jet morphology, and rotation of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov with deep HST imaging

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 4031-4041
Author(s):  
Bryce T Bolin ◽  
Carey M Lisse
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Deep Imaging ◽  
Projected Length ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Change Position ◽  
Time Frames ◽  
Pole Orientation ◽  
Perihelion Passage

ABSTRACT We present high resolution, deep imaging of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov taken with the Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 (HST/WFC3) on 2019 December 8 UTC and 2020 January 27 UTC (HST GO 16040, PI: Bolin) before and after its perihelion passage in combination with HST/WFC3 images taken on 2019 October 12 UTC and 2019 November 16 UTC (HST GO/DD 16009, PI: Jewitt) before its outburst and fragmentation of 2020 March, thus observing the comet in a relatively undisrupted state. We locate 1–2 arcsec long (2000–3000 km projected length) jet-like structures near the optocentre of 2I that appear to change position angles from epoch to epoch. With the assumption that the jet is located near the rotational pole supported by its stationary appearance on ∼10–100 h time frames in HST images, we determine that 2I’s pole points near α = 322 ± 10° and δ = 37 ± 10° (λ = 341° and β  = 48°) and may be in a simple rotation state. Additionally, we find evidence for possible periodicity in the HST time-series light curve on the time-scale of ∼5.3 h with a small amplitude of ∼0.05 mag implying a lower limit on its b/a ratio of ∼1.5 unlike the large ∼2 mag light curve observed for 1I/‘Oumuamua. However, these small light-curve variations may not be the result of the rotation of 2I’s nucleus due to its dust-dominated light-scattering cross-section. Therefore, uniquely constraining the pre-Solar system encounter, pre-outburst rotation state of 2I may not be possible even with the resolution and sensitivity provided by HST observations.

scholarly journals HST Image Restoration: Current Capabilities and Future Prospects

1994 ◽  
Vol 158 ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Hanisch ◽  
Richard L. White
Keyword(s):  
Image Restoration ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Spherical Aberration ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Secondary Mirror ◽  
Faint Object ◽  
Spread Function ◽  
Restoration Algorithms ◽  
Space Variant

The spherical aberration in the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope causes more than 80% of the light from a point source to be spread into a halo of radius of 2–3 arcsec. The point spread function (PSF) is both time variant (resulting from spacecraft jitter and desorption of the secondary mirror support structure) and space variant (owing to the Cassegrain repeater optics in the Wide Field / Planetary Camera). A variety of image restoration algorithms have been utilized on HST data with some success, although optimal restorations require better modeling of the PSF and the development of efficient restoration algorithms that accommodate a spacevariant PSF. The first HST servicing mission (December 1993) will deploy a corrective optics system for the Faint Object Camera and the two spectrographs and a second generation WF/PC with internal corrective optics. As simulations demonstrate, however, the restoration algorithms developed now for aberrated images will be very useful for removing the remaining diffraction features and optimizing dynamic range in post-servicing mission data.

scholarly journals Shape model and spin-state analysis of PHA contact binary (85990) 1999 JV6 from combined radar and optical observations

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A149
Author(s):  
A. Rożek ◽  
S. C. Lowry ◽  
M. C. Nolan ◽  
P. A. Taylor ◽  
L. A. M. Benner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Model ◽  
Spin State ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Shape Model ◽  
Optical Photometry ◽  
Binary Asteroid ◽  
Radar Images ◽  
Yorp Effect ◽  
Contact Binary

Context. The potentially hazardous asteroid (85990) 1999 JV6 has been a target of previously published thermal-infrared observations and optical photometry. It has been identified as a promising candidate for possible Yarkovsky-O’Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect detection. Aims. The YORP effect is a small thermal-radiation torque considered to be a key factor in spin-state evolution of small Solar System bodies. In order to detect YORP on 1999 JV6 we developed a detailed shape model and analysed the spin-state using both optical and radar observations. Methods. For 1999 JV6, we collected optical photometry between 2007 and 2016. Additionally, we obtained radar echo-power spectra and imaging observations with Arecibo and Goldstone planetary radar facilities in 2015, 2016, and 2017. We combined our data with published optical photometry to develop a robust physical model. Results. We determine that the rotation pole resides at negative latitudes in an area with a 5° radius close to the south ecliptic pole. The refined sidereal rotation period is 6.536787 ± 0.000007 h. The radar images are best reproduced with a bilobed shape model. Both lobes of 1999 JV6 can be represented as oblate ellipsoids with a smaller, more spherical component resting at the end of a larger, more elongated component. While contact binaries appear to be abundant in the near-Earth population, there are only a few published shape models for asteroids in this particular configuration. By combining the radar-derived shape model with optical light curves we determine a constant-period solution that fits all available data well. Using light-curve data alone we determine an upper limit for YORP of 8.5 × 10−8 rad day−2. Conclusions. The bifurcated shape of 1999 JV6 might be a result of two ellipsoidal components gently merging with each other, or a deformation of a rubble pile with a weak-tensile-strength core due to spin-up. The physical model of 1999 JV6 presented here will enable future studies of contact binary asteroid formation and evolution.

scholarly journals Mass Functions & Stellar Populations of Globular Clusters

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 603-608
Author(s):  
P. Guhathakurta ◽  
G. Piotto ◽  
E. Vesperini
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Luminosity Function ◽  
Core Collapse ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Spread Function ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Photometric Error ◽  
Empirical Point ◽  
Mass Functions ◽  
Image Simulations

I present a summary of results from various HST photometric studies of the dense central regions of Galactic globular clusters that my collaborators and I have carried out over the last 6 years. The dataset includes short exposures of 47 Tuc, M15, M3 and M13 obtained with the aberrated Planetary Camera-I (PC-I) and F555W (“V”) and F785LP (“I”) filters, as well as post-refurbishment Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) snapshots of the post core collapse clusters M15, M30, and NGC 6624 in F336W (“U”), F439W (“B”), and V. Recently, a very deep, doubly oversampled PC-I U image of the core of 47 Tuc, and accompanying B and V images, have also been analyzed. In addition, we have carried out extensive checks of incompleteness and photometric error with the help of multiband image simulations that mimic the relevant characteristics of the HST PC-I and WFPC2 images: empirical point spread function, crowding effects based on a realistic density profile and stellar luminosity function (LF), noise, undersampling, A/D saturation, etc..

scholarly journals Milky Way demographics with the VVV survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Alonso-García ◽  
Roberto K. Saito ◽  
Maren Hempel ◽  
Dante Minniti ◽  
Joyce Pullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Public Survey ◽  
Wide Field Of View ◽  
Spread Function ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Infrared Wavelengths ◽  
Galactic Stellar Populations

Context. The inner regions of the Galaxy are severely affected by extinction, which limits our capability to study the stellar populations present there. The Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) ESO Public Survey has observed this zone at near-infrared wavelengths where reddening is highly diminished. Aims. By exploiting the high resolution and wide field-of-view of the VVV images we aim to produce a deep, homogeneous, and highly complete database of sources that cover the innermost regions of our Galaxy. Methods. To better deal with the high crowding in the surveyed areas, we have used point spread function (PSF)-fitting techniques to obtain a new photometry of the VVV images, in the ZY JHKs near-infrared filters available. Results. Our final catalogs contain close to one billion sources, with precise photometry in up to five near-infrared filters, and they are already being used to provide an unprecedented view of the inner Galactic stellar populations. We make these catalogs publicly available to the community. Our catalogs allow us to build the VVV giga-CMD, a series of color-magnitude diagrams of the inner regions of the Milky Way presented as supplementary videos. We provide a qualitative analysis of some representative CMDs of the inner regions of the Galaxy, and briefly mention some of the studies we have developed with this new dataset so far.

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