scholarly journals Trend filtering – II. Denoising astronomical signals with varying degrees of smoothness

2020 ◽  
Vol 492 (3) ◽  
pp. 4019-4032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin A Politsch ◽  
Jessi Cisewski-Kehe ◽  
Rupert A C Croft ◽  
Larry Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Data Reduction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Large Scale Structure ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Observational Astronomy ◽  
Quasar Spectra

ABSTRACT Trend filtering – first introduced into the astronomical literature in Paper I of this series – is a state-of-the-art statistical tool for denoising 1D signals that possess varying degrees of smoothness. In this work, we demonstrate the broad utility of trend filtering to observational astronomy by discussing how it can contribute to a variety of spectroscopic and time-domain studies. The observations we discuss are (1) the Lyman-α (Lyα) forest of quasar spectra; (2) more general spectroscopy of quasars, galaxies, and stars; (3) stellar light curves with planetary transits; (4) eclipsing binary light curves; and (5) supernova light curves. We study the Lyα forest in the greatest detail – using trend filtering to map the large-scale structure of the intergalactic medium along quasar-observer lines of sight. The remaining studies share broad themes of: (1) estimating observable parameters of light curves and spectra; and (2) constructing observational spectral/light-curve templates. We also briefly discuss the utility of trend filtering as a tool for 1D data reduction and compression.

scholarly journals X-ray light curves from realistic polar cap models: inclined pulsar magnetospheres and multipole fields

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (2) ◽  
pp. 1774-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Lockhart ◽  
Samuel E Gralla ◽  
Feryal Özel ◽  
Dimitrios Psaltis
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Quadrupole Moment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Realistic Model ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polar Caps ◽  
Thin Ring ◽  
Magnetic Quadrupole ◽  
South Asymmetry

ABSTRACT Thermal X-ray emission from rotation-powered pulsars is believed to originate from localized ‘hotspots’ on the stellar surface occurring where large-scale currents from the magnetosphere return to heat the atmosphere. Light-curve modelling has primarily been limited to simple models, such as circular antipodal emitting regions with constant temperature. We calculate more realistic temperature distributions within the polar caps, taking advantage of recent advances in magnetospheric theory, and we consider their effect on the predicted light curves. The emitting regions are non-circular even for a pure dipole magnetic field, and the inclusion of an aligned magnetic quadrupole moment introduces a north–south asymmetry. As the quadrupole moment is increased, one hotspot grows in size before becoming a thin ring surrounding the star. For the pure dipole case, moving to the more realistic model changes the light curves by $5\!-\!10{{\, \rm per\, cent}}$ for millisecond pulsars, helping to quantify the systematic uncertainty present in current dipolar models. Including the quadrupole gives considerable freedom in generating more complex light curves. We explore whether these simple dipole+quadrupole models can account for the qualitative features of the light curve of PSR J0437−4715.

scholarly journals Inferring high-redshift large-scale structure dynamics from the Lyman-α forest

2019 ◽  
Vol 630 ◽  
pp. A151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Porqueres ◽  
Jens Jasche ◽  
Guilhem Lavaux ◽  
Torsten Enßlin
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Large Scale Structure ◽  
Scale Structure ◽  
Modal Parameter ◽  
Large Scale Structures ◽  
Quasar Spectra ◽  
Large Scale Flow ◽  
Fully Bayesian

One of the major science goals over the coming decade is to test fundamental physics with probes of the cosmic large-scale structure out to high redshift. Here we present a fully Bayesian approach to infer the three-dimensional cosmic matter distribution and its dynamics at z >  2 from observations of the Lyman-α forest. We demonstrate that the method recovers the unbiased mass distribution and the correct matter power spectrum at all scales. Our method infers the three-dimensional density field from a set of one-dimensional spectra, interpolating the information between the lines of sight. We show that our algorithm provides unbiased mass profiles of clusters, becoming an alternative for estimating cluster masses complementary to weak lensing or X-ray observations. The algorithm employs a Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method to generate realizations of initial and evolved density fields and the three-dimensional large-scale flow, revealing the cosmic dynamics at high redshift. The method correctly handles multi-modal parameter distributions, which allow constraining the physics of the intergalactic medium with high accuracy. We performed several tests using realistic simulated quasar spectra to test and validate our method. Our results show that detailed and physically plausible inference of three-dimensional large-scale structures at high redshift has become feasible.

scholarly journals A spectroscopic census of the Fornax cluster and beyond: preparing for next generation surveys

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (2) ◽  
pp. 1666-1677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Maddox ◽  
Paolo Serra ◽  
Aku Venhola ◽  
Reynier Peletier ◽  
Ilani Loubser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic System ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Large Scale Structure ◽  
Large Cluster ◽  
Cluster Membership ◽  
The Many ◽  
Fornax Cluster

ABSTRACT The Fornax cluster is the nearest large cluster in the southern sky, and is currently experiencing active assembly of mass. It is thus the target of a number of ongoing observing campaigns at optical, near-infrared, and radio wavelengths, using state-of-the-art facilities in the Southern hemisphere. Spectroscopic redshifts are essential not only for determining cluster membership, but also kinematics within the cluster and identifying substructures. We present a compilation of all available major spectroscopic campaigns undertaken within the Fornax region, including new and previously unpublished spectroscopy. This provides not only a comprehensive census of Fornax cluster membership as a resource for the many ongoing studies of this dynamic system, but also probes the large-scale structure in the background volume.

scholarly journals Pipeline Reduction of Binary Light Curves from Large–Scale Surveys

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S240) ◽  
pp. 217-229
Author(s):  
Andrej Prša ◽  
Tomaž Zwitter
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Observational Astronomy ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Fully Automatic ◽  
Ccd Detectors ◽  
Rapid Shift

AbstractOne of the most important changes in observational astronomy of the 21st Century is a rapid shift from classical object-by-object observations to extensive automatic surveys. As CCD detectors are getting better and their prices are getting lower, more and more small and medium-size observatories are refocusing their attention to detection of stellar variability through systematic sky-scanning missions. This trend is aditionally powered by the success of pioneering surveys such as ASAS, DENIS, OGLE, TASS, their space counterpart Hipparcos and others. Such surveys produce massive amounts of data and it is not at all clear how these data are to be reduced and analysed. This is especially striking in the eclipsing binary (EB) field, where most frequently used tools are optimized for object-by-object analysis. A clear need for thorough, reliable and fully automated approaches to modeling and analysis of EB data is thus obvious. This task is very difficult because of limited data quality, non-uniform phase coverage and solution degeneracy. This paper reviews recent advancements in putting together semi-automatic and fully automatic pipelines for EB data processing. Automatic procedures have already been used to process Hipparcos data, LMC/SMC observations, OGLE and ASAS catalogs etc. We discuss the advantages and shortcomings of these procedures.

scholarly journals Trend filtering – I. A modern statistical tool for time-domain astronomy and astronomical spectroscopy

2020 ◽  
Vol 492 (3) ◽  
pp. 4005-4018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collin A Politsch ◽  
Jessi Cisewski-Kehe ◽  
Rupert A C Croft ◽  
Larry Wasserman
Keyword(s):  
Time Domain ◽  
Gaussian Process Regression ◽  
Smoothing Splines ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Observational Astronomy ◽  
Astronomical Object ◽  
Frequency Components ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Kernel Smoothers

ABSTRACT The problem of denoising a 1D signal possessing varying degrees of smoothness is ubiquitous in time-domain astronomy and astronomical spectroscopy. For example, in the time domain, an astronomical object may exhibit a smoothly varying intensity that is occasionally interrupted by abrupt dips or spikes. Likewise, in the spectroscopic setting, a noiseless spectrum typically contains intervals of relative smoothness mixed with localized higher frequency components such as emission peaks and absorption lines. In this work, we present trend filtering, a modern non-parametric statistical tool that yields significant improvements in this broad problem space of denoising spatially heterogeneous signals. When the underlying signal is spatially heterogeneous, trend filtering is superior to any statistical estimator that is a linear combination of the observed data – including kernel smoothers, LOESS, smoothing splines, Gaussian process regression, and many other popular methods. Furthermore, the trend filtering estimate can be computed with practical and scalable efficiency via a specialized convex optimization algorithm, e.g. handling sample sizes of n ≳ 107 within a few minutes. In a companion paper, we explicitly demonstrate the broad utility of trend filtering to observational astronomy by carrying out a diverse set of spectroscopic and time-domain analyses.

A time-domain analysis of the large-scale flow structure in a circular jet. Part 1. Moderate Reynolds number

1977 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. Bruun
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Flow Structure ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Time Domain Analysis ◽  
Large Scale Structure ◽  
Scale Structure ◽  
Moderate Reynolds Number ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Large Scale Flow

This paper presents a new experimental time-domain technique for the evaluation of the large-scale structure in a turbulent flow. The technique is demonstrated by hot-wire anemometry for a circular jet flow at a moderate Reynolds number of 104, and the large-scale structure identified is compared successfully with smoke flow-visualization observations. The temporal and spatial relationships of the separate large-scale flow events have been derived, and this information enabled the evaluation of the nonlinear spatial development of the large-scale flow structure.

Magnetic Activity Discrepancies of Solar-Type Stars Revealed by Kepler Light Curves

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S335) ◽  
pp. 7-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han He ◽  
Huaning Wang ◽  
Yan Yan ◽  
Duo Yun
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Type Star ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Type ◽  
Activity Information ◽  
Solar Type Star

AbstractMagnetic activity information is concealed in the shape of stellar light curves owing to the process of rotational modulation. We developed approaches to extract magnetic activity characteristics from stellar light curves, and applied the method to a solar-type star observed with Kepler space telescope and also to the Sun for comparison. The result reveals distinct magnetic activity discrepancies between the solar-type star and the Sun. (1) The light-curve periodicity of the solar-type star is generally stronger than that of the Sun. (2) For the solar-type star, when the range of light-curve fluctuation is larger, the periodicity is also higher; while for the Sun, only during the solar minima with minimal range of fluctuation, the light curves show some periodicity. We propose that on the solar-type star, it is the large-scale magnetic field that leads to the light curves with both high periodicity and large range of fluctuation.

The Eclipsing Binary WX Eridani

1979 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 385
Author(s):  
M.B.K. Sarma ◽  
K.D. Abhankar
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Spectral Type ◽  
Orbital Period ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Absorption Feature ◽  
Primary Star ◽  
Eclipsing Binary ◽  
The Times ◽  
Phase Angles

AbstractThe Algol-type eclipsing binary WX Eridani was observed on 21 nights on the 48-inch telescope of the Japal-Rangapur Observatory during 1973-75 in B and V colours. An improved period of P = 0.82327038 days was obtained from the analysis of the times of five primary minima. An absorption feature between phase angles 50-80, 100-130, 230-260 and 280-310 was present in the light curves. The analysis of the light curves indicated the eclipses to be grazing with primary to be transit and secondary, an occultation. Elements derived from the solution of the light curve using Russel-Merrill method are given. From comparison of the fractional radii with Roche lobes, it is concluded that none of the components have filled their respective lobes but the primary star seems to be evolving. The spectral type of the primary component was estimated to be F3 and is found to be pulsating with two periods equal to one-fifth and one-sixth of the orbital period.

Zeitstrukturen im Jazz

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-92
Author(s):  
Alexander Becker
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Scale Structure ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Scale Structure ◽  
Classical Form ◽  
Jazz Music ◽  
The Moment

Wie erlebt der Hörer Jazz? Bei dieser Frage geht es unter anderem um die Art und Weise, wie Jazz die Zeit des Hörens gestaltet. Ein an klassischer Musik geschultes Ohr erwartet von musikalischer Zeitgestaltung, den zeitlichen Rahmen, der durch Anfang und Ende gesetzt ist, von innen heraus zu strukturieren und neu zu konstituieren. Doch das ist keine Erwartung, die dem Jazz gerecht wird. Im Jazz wird der Moment nicht im Hinblick auf ein Ziel gestaltet, das von einer übergeordneten Struktur bereitgestellt wird, sondern so, dass er den Bewegungsimpuls zum nächsten Moment weiterträgt. Wie wirkt sich dieses Prinzip der Zeitgestaltung auf die musikalische Form im Großen aus? Der Aufsatz untersucht diese Frage anhand von Beispielen, an denen sich der Weg der Transformation von einer klassischen zu einer dem Jazz angemessenen Form gut nachverfolgen lässt.<br><br>How do listeners experience Jazz? This is a question also about how Jazz music organizes the listening time. A classically educated listener expects a piece of music to structure, unify and thereby re-constitute the externally given time frame. Such an expectation is foreign to Jazz music which doesn’t relate the moment to a goal provided by a large scale structure. Rather, one moment is carried on to the next, preserving the stimulus potentially ad infinitum. How does such an organization of time affect the large scale form? The paper tries to answer this question by analyzing two examples which permit to trace the transformation of a classical form into a form germane to Jazz music.

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