Gaia EDR3 parallaxes of type I X-ray bursters and their implications on the models of type I X-ray bursts: A generic approach to the Gaia parallax zero point and its uncertainty

Light curves of photospheric radius expansion (PRE) bursts, a subset of type I X-ray bursts, have been used as standard candles to estimate the ‘nominal PRE distances’ for 63% of PRE bursters (bursters), assuming PRE burst emission is spherically symmetric. Model-independent geometric parallaxes of bursters provide a valuable chance to test models of PRE bursts (PRE models) and can be provided in some cases by Gaia astrometry of the donor stars in bursters. We searched for counterparts to 115 known bursters in the Gaia Early Data Release 3 and confirmed 4 bursters with Gaia counterparts that have detected ( $\gt\!3\,\sigma$ , prior to zero-point correction) parallaxes. We describe a generic approach to the Gaia parallax zero point as well as its uncertainty using an ensemble of Gaia quasars individually determined for each target. Assuming the spherically symmetric PRE model is correct, we refined the resultant nominal PRE distances of three bursters (i.e. Cen $\textrm{X}-4$ , Cyg $\textrm{X}-2$ , and $4\textrm{U}\,0919-54$ ) and put constraints on their compositions of the nuclear fuel powering the bursts. Finally, we describe a method for testing the correctness of the spherically symmetric PRE model using parallax measurements and provide preliminary results.

Charged perfect fluid stellar structures with Bardeen model

This paper is devoted to study static spherically symmetric model in the presence of charged perfect fluid. This is the generalization of neutral perfect fluid (when there is no charge) through the solution of Einstein Maxwell equations. For this purpose, we consider a suitable form of gravitational potential [Formula: see text] and the electric field [Formula: see text], already used in the literature. The value of mass-radius ratio or compactness [Formula: see text], which depends upon the chosen model exceeds the value [Formula: see text] corresponding to neutral stars. The most important feature of the current study is to use the Bardeen model geometry instead of usual Reissner–Nordström model for the matching conditions. In this case the energy density and pressure remain positive, bounded and monotonically decreasing whereas electric field is monotonically increasing. Also the causality condition, i.e. the magnitude of speed of sound must be less than the speed of light, is satisfied. Moreover, the behavior of all the physical parameters at the center and on surface of star of mass [Formula: see text] and for Her X-1 are tabulated. All the results by graphical analysis and tabular information suggest that Bardeen model provides physically realistic stellar structures.

Shock within a shock: revisiting the radio flares of NS merger ejecta and gamma-ray burst-supernovae

ABSTRACT Fast ejecta expelled in binary neutron star (NS) mergers or energetic supernovae (SNe) should produce late-time synchrotron radio emission as the ejecta shocks into the surrounding ambient medium. Models for such radio flares typically assume the ejecta expands into an unperturbed interstellar medium (ISM). However, it is also well known that binary NS mergers and broad-lined Ic SNe Ic can harbour relativistic jetted outflows. In this work, we show that such jets shock the ambient ISM ahead of the ejecta, thus evacuating the medium into which the ejecta subsequently collides. Using an idealized spherically symmetric model, we illustrate that this inhibits the ejecta radio flare at early times $t \lt t_{\rm col} \approx 12 \, {\rm yr} \, (E_{\rm j}/10^{49} \, {\rm erg})^{1/3} (n/1 \, {\rm cm}^{-3})^{-1/3} (\upsilon _{\rm ej}/0.1c)^{-5/3}$, where Ej is the jet energy, n the ISM density, and $\upsilon$ej the ejecta velocity. We also show that this can produce a sharply peaked enhancement in the light curve at t = tcol. This has implications for radio observations of GW170817 and future binary NS mergers, gamma-ray burst (GRB) SNe, decade-long radio transients such as FIRST J1419, and possibly other events where a relativistic outflow precedes a slower moving ejecta. Future numerical work will extend these analytic estimates and treat the multidimensional nature of the problem.

Separation of gas and dust in the winds of AGB stars

We present first results from a project aiming at a better understanding of how gas and dust interact in dust-driven winds from Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. We are at the final stage of developing a new parallelised radiation-hydrodynamics (RHD) code for AGB-wind modelling including a new generalised implementation of drift. We also discuss first results from high-resolution box simulations of forced turbulence intended to give quantitative “3D corrections” to dust-driven winds from AGB stars. It is argued that modelling of dust-driven winds of AGB stars is a problem that may need to be treated in a less holistic way, where some parts of the problem are treated separately in detailed simulations and are parameterised back into a less detailed (1D spherically symmetric) model describing the entire picture.

Is the Wheeler–DeWitt equation more fundamental than the Schrödinger equation?

The Wheeler–DeWitt equation was proposed 50 years ago and until now it is the cornerstone of most approaches to quantization of gravity. One can find in the literature, the opinion that the Wheeler–DeWitt equation is even more fundamental than the basic equation of quantum theory, the Schrödinger equation. We still should remember that we are in the situation when no observational data can confirm or reject the fundamental status of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation, so we can give just indirect arguments in favor of or against it, grounded on mathematical consistency and physical relevance. I shall present the analysis of the situation and comparison of the standard Wheeler–DeWitt approach with the extended phase space approach to quantization of gravity. In my analysis, I suppose, first, that a future quantum theory of gravity must be applicable to all phenomena from the early universe to quantum effects in strong gravitational fields, in the latter case, the state of the observer (the choice of a reference frame) may appear to be significant. Second, I suppose that the equation for the wave function of the universe must not be postulated but derived by means of a mathematically consistent procedure, which exists in path integral quantization. When applying this procedure to any gravitating system, one should take into account features of gravity, namely, nontrivial spacetime topology and possible absence of asymptotic states. The Schrödinger equation has been derived early for cosmological models with a finite number of degrees of freedom, and just recently it has been found for the spherically symmetric model which is a simplest model with an infinite number of degrees of freedom. The structure of the Schrödinger equation and its general solution appears to be very similar in these cases. The obtained results give grounds to say that the Schrödinger equation retains its fundamental meaning in constructing quantum theory of gravity.

New Monte Carlo algorithms for investigation of criticality fluctuations in the particle scattering process with multiplication in stochastic media

A Monte Carlo algorithm admitting parallelization is constructed for estimation of probability moments of the spectral radius of the operator of the integral equation describing transfer of particles with multiplication in a random medium. A randomized homogenization method is developed with the same aim on the base of the theory of small perturbations and diffusive approximation. Test calculations performed for a one-group spherically symmetric model system have shown a satisfactory concordance of results obtained from two models.