Jupiter’s atmosphere is rotating differentially, with zones and
belts rotating at speeds that differ by up to 100 metres per
second. Whether this is also true of the gas giant’s interior has
been unknown1,2
, limiting our ability to probe the structure and
composition of the planet3,4
. The discovery by the Juno spacecraft
that Jupiter’s gravity field is north–south asymmetric5
and the
determination of its non-zero odd gravitational harmonics J3, J5, J7
and J9 demonstrates that the observed zonal cloud flow must persist
to a depth of about 3,000 kilometres from the cloud tops6
. Here we
report an analysis of Jupiter’s even gravitational harmonics J4, J6,
J8 and J10 as observed by Juno5
and compared to the predictions
of interior models. We find that the deep interior of the planet
rotates nearly as a rigid body, with differential rotation decreasing
by at least an order of magnitude compared to the atmosphere.
Moreover, we find that the atmospheric zonal flow extends to more
than 2,000 kilometres and to less than 3,500 kilometres, making
it fully consistent with the constraints obtained independently
from the odd gravitational harmonics. This depth corresponds
to the point at which the electric conductivity becomes large and
magnetic drag should suppress differential rotation7
. Given that
electric conductivity is dependent on planetary mass, we expect the
outer, differentially rotating region to be at least three times deeper
in Saturn and to be shallower in massive giant planets and brown
dwarfs.
Jupiter’s atmospheric jet streams extend thousands of kilometres deepSérgio Sacani
The document summarizes findings from measurements taken by the Juno spacecraft orbiting Jupiter. It finds that Jupiter's atmospheric jet streams extend thousands of kilometers deep, likely to depths where magnetic dissipation occurs around 3,000 km. By inverting gravity measurements, the researchers calculated the most likely vertical profile of deep atmospheric flows, with an exponential decay depth of around 1,500 km. Considering angular momentum, the deep flows are likely driven by a balance between drag from Lorentz forces and eddy momentum fluxes near the cloud level.
Measurement of Jupiter’s asymmetric gravity fieldSérgio Sacani
The gravity harmonics of a fluid, rotating planet can be decomposed
into static components arising from solid-body rotation and dynamic
components arising from flows. In the absence of internal dynamics,
the gravity field is axially and hemispherically symmetric and is
dominated by even zonal gravity harmonics J2n that are approximately
proportional to qn, where q is the ratio between centrifugal
acceleration and gravity at the planet’s equator1
. Any asymmetry in the
gravity field is attributed to differential rotation and deep atmospheric
flows. The odd harmonics, J3, J5, J7, J9 and higher, are a measure of the
depth of the winds in the different zones of the atmosphere2,3
. Here
we report measurements of Jupiter’s gravity harmonics (both even
and odd) through precise Doppler tracking of the Juno spacecraft
in its polar orbit around Jupiter. We find a north–south asymmetry,
which is a signature of atmospheric and interior flows. Analysis of
the harmonics, described in two accompanying papers4,5
, provides
the vertical profile of the winds and precise constraints for the depth
of Jupiter’s dynamical atmosphere.
Clusters of cyclones encircling Jupiter’s polesSérgio Sacani
The familiar axisymmetric zones and belts that characterize
Jupiter’s weather system at lower latitudes give way to pervasive
cyclonic activity at higher latitudes1
. Two-dimensional turbulence
in combination with the Coriolis β-effect (that is, the large
meridionally varying Coriolis force on the giant planets of the Solar
System) produces alternating zonal flows2
. The zonal flows weaken
with rising latitude so that a transition between equatorial jets and
polar turbulence on Jupiter can occur3,4
. Simulations with shallowwater
models of giant planets support this transition by producing
both alternating flows near the equator and circumpolar cyclones
near the poles5–9. Jovian polar regions are not visible from Earth
owing to Jupiter’s low axial tilt, and were poorly characterized by
previous missions because the trajectories of these missions did
not venture far from Jupiter’s equatorial plane. Here we report
that visible and infrared images obtained from above each pole
by the Juno spacecraft during its first five orbits reveal persistent
polygonal patterns of large cyclones. In the north, eight circumpolar
cyclones are observed about a single polar cyclone; in the south, one
polar cyclone is encircled by five circumpolar cyclones. Cyclonic
circulation is established via time-lapse imagery obtained over
intervals ranging from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Although migration of
cyclones towards the pole might be expected as a consequence of the
Coriolis β-effect, by which cyclonic vortices naturally drift towards
the rotational pole, the configuration of the cyclones is without
precedent on other planets (including Saturn’s polar hexagonal
features). The manner in which the cyclones persist without merging
and the process by which they evolve to their current configuration
are unknown.
On the possibility of through passage of asteroid bodies across the Earth’s a...Sérgio Sacani
We have studied the conditions of through passage of asteroids with diameters 200, 100, and
50 m, consisting of three types of materials – iron, stone, and water ice, across the Earth’s
atmosphere with a minimum trajectory altitude in the range 10–15 km. The conditions of this
passage with a subsequent exit into outer space with the preservation of a substantial fraction
of the initial mass have been found. The results obtained support our idea explaining one of the
long-standing problems of astronomy – the Tunguska phenomenon, which has not received
reasonable and comprehensive interpretations to date. We argue that the Tunguska event was
caused by an iron asteroid body, which passed through the Earth’s atmosphere and continued
to the near-solar orbit.
Very regular high-frequency pulsation modes in young intermediate-mass starsSérgio Sacani
Asteroseismology probes the internal structures of stars by using their natural
pulsation frequencies1. It relies on identifying sequences of pulsation modes that can
be compared with theoretical models, which has been done successfully for many
classes of pulsators, including low-mass solar-type stars2, red giants3, high-mass stars4
and white dwarfs5. However, a large group of pulsating stars of intermediate mass—the
so-called δ Scuti stars—have rich pulsation spectra for which systematic mode
identification has not hitherto been possible6,7. This arises because only a seemingly
random subset of possible modes are excited and because rapid rotation tends to
spoil regular patterns8–10. Here we report the detection of remarkably regular
sequences of high-frequency pulsation modes in 60 intermediate-mass
main-sequence stars, which enables definitive mode identification. The space
motions of some of these stars indicate that they are members of known associations
of young stars, as confirmed by modelling of their pulsation spectra.
Beyond the Kuiper Belt Edge: New High Perihelion Trans-Neptunian Objects With...Sérgio Sacani
We are conducting a survey for distant solar system objects beyond the Kuiper
Belt edge ( 50 AU) with new wide-field cameras on the Subaru and CTIO tele-
scopes. We are interested in the orbits of objects that are decoupled from the
giant planet region in order to understand the structure of the outer solar sys-
tem, including whether a massive planet exists beyond a few hundred AU as first
reported in Trujillo and Sheppard (2014). In addition to discovering extreme
trans-Neptunian objects detailed elsewhere, we have found several objects with
high perihelia (q > 40 AU) that differ from the extreme and inner Oort cloud
objects due to their moderate semi-major axes (50 < a < 100 AU) and eccen-
tricities (e . 0.3). Newly discovered objects 2014 FZ71 and 2015 FJ345 have
the third and fourth highest perihelia known after Sedna and 2012 VP113, yet
their orbits are not nearly as eccentric or distant. We found several of these high
perihelion but moderate orbit objects and observe that they are mostly near Nep-
tune mean motion resonances and have significant inclinations (i > 20 degrees).
These moderate objects likely obtained their unusual orbits through combined
interactions with Neptune’s mean motion resonances and the Kozai resonance,
similar to the origin scenarios for 2004 XR190. We also find the distant 2008
ST291 has likely been modified by the MMR+KR mechanism through the 6:1
Neptune resonance. We discuss these moderately eccentric, distant objects along
with some other interesting low inclination outer classical belt objects like 2012
FH84 discovered in our ongoing survey.
The 19 Feb. 2016 Outburst of Comet 67P/CG: An ESA Rosetta Multi-Instrument StudySérgio Sacani
On 19 Feb. 2016 nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust
from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras
and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in-situ gas, dust and
plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 9:40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image
in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature
of the outburst that signicantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50% of
the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors >100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus.
Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest
enhancements (factors >10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3
and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from 16V to 20V during the outburst. A
clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta (34 km from the nucleus): within 15
minutes the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles ( 25 ms 1) while 100 m radius particles
were detected by the GIADA dust instrument 1 hour later at a speed of 6 ms 1. The slowest
were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst
originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the
outburst could be determined.
The Internal Structure of Asteroid (25143) Itokawa as Revealed by Detection o...WellingtonRodrigues2014
- The authors detected an acceleration in the rotation rate of asteroid (25143) Itokawa through photometric observations spanning 2001 to 2013.
- By measuring rotational phase offsets between observed and modeled lightcurves, they found a YORP acceleration of 3.54 ± 0.38 × 10−8 rad day−2, equivalent to a decrease in the asteroid's rotation period of about 45 ms per year.
- Thermophysical modeling of the detailed shape model from the Hayabusa spacecraft could not reconcile the observed YORP strength unless the asteroid's center of mass is shifted by about 21 m along its long axis. This suggests Itokawa has two components with different densities that merged, either from a
Jupiter’s atmospheric jet streams extend thousands of kilometres deepSérgio Sacani
The document summarizes findings from measurements taken by the Juno spacecraft orbiting Jupiter. It finds that Jupiter's atmospheric jet streams extend thousands of kilometers deep, likely to depths where magnetic dissipation occurs around 3,000 km. By inverting gravity measurements, the researchers calculated the most likely vertical profile of deep atmospheric flows, with an exponential decay depth of around 1,500 km. Considering angular momentum, the deep flows are likely driven by a balance between drag from Lorentz forces and eddy momentum fluxes near the cloud level.
Measurement of Jupiter’s asymmetric gravity fieldSérgio Sacani
The gravity harmonics of a fluid, rotating planet can be decomposed
into static components arising from solid-body rotation and dynamic
components arising from flows. In the absence of internal dynamics,
the gravity field is axially and hemispherically symmetric and is
dominated by even zonal gravity harmonics J2n that are approximately
proportional to qn, where q is the ratio between centrifugal
acceleration and gravity at the planet’s equator1
. Any asymmetry in the
gravity field is attributed to differential rotation and deep atmospheric
flows. The odd harmonics, J3, J5, J7, J9 and higher, are a measure of the
depth of the winds in the different zones of the atmosphere2,3
. Here
we report measurements of Jupiter’s gravity harmonics (both even
and odd) through precise Doppler tracking of the Juno spacecraft
in its polar orbit around Jupiter. We find a north–south asymmetry,
which is a signature of atmospheric and interior flows. Analysis of
the harmonics, described in two accompanying papers4,5
, provides
the vertical profile of the winds and precise constraints for the depth
of Jupiter’s dynamical atmosphere.
Clusters of cyclones encircling Jupiter’s polesSérgio Sacani
The familiar axisymmetric zones and belts that characterize
Jupiter’s weather system at lower latitudes give way to pervasive
cyclonic activity at higher latitudes1
. Two-dimensional turbulence
in combination with the Coriolis β-effect (that is, the large
meridionally varying Coriolis force on the giant planets of the Solar
System) produces alternating zonal flows2
. The zonal flows weaken
with rising latitude so that a transition between equatorial jets and
polar turbulence on Jupiter can occur3,4
. Simulations with shallowwater
models of giant planets support this transition by producing
both alternating flows near the equator and circumpolar cyclones
near the poles5–9. Jovian polar regions are not visible from Earth
owing to Jupiter’s low axial tilt, and were poorly characterized by
previous missions because the trajectories of these missions did
not venture far from Jupiter’s equatorial plane. Here we report
that visible and infrared images obtained from above each pole
by the Juno spacecraft during its first five orbits reveal persistent
polygonal patterns of large cyclones. In the north, eight circumpolar
cyclones are observed about a single polar cyclone; in the south, one
polar cyclone is encircled by five circumpolar cyclones. Cyclonic
circulation is established via time-lapse imagery obtained over
intervals ranging from 20 minutes to 4 hours. Although migration of
cyclones towards the pole might be expected as a consequence of the
Coriolis β-effect, by which cyclonic vortices naturally drift towards
the rotational pole, the configuration of the cyclones is without
precedent on other planets (including Saturn’s polar hexagonal
features). The manner in which the cyclones persist without merging
and the process by which they evolve to their current configuration
are unknown.
On the possibility of through passage of asteroid bodies across the Earth’s a...Sérgio Sacani
We have studied the conditions of through passage of asteroids with diameters 200, 100, and
50 m, consisting of three types of materials – iron, stone, and water ice, across the Earth’s
atmosphere with a minimum trajectory altitude in the range 10–15 km. The conditions of this
passage with a subsequent exit into outer space with the preservation of a substantial fraction
of the initial mass have been found. The results obtained support our idea explaining one of the
long-standing problems of astronomy – the Tunguska phenomenon, which has not received
reasonable and comprehensive interpretations to date. We argue that the Tunguska event was
caused by an iron asteroid body, which passed through the Earth’s atmosphere and continued
to the near-solar orbit.
Very regular high-frequency pulsation modes in young intermediate-mass starsSérgio Sacani
Asteroseismology probes the internal structures of stars by using their natural
pulsation frequencies1. It relies on identifying sequences of pulsation modes that can
be compared with theoretical models, which has been done successfully for many
classes of pulsators, including low-mass solar-type stars2, red giants3, high-mass stars4
and white dwarfs5. However, a large group of pulsating stars of intermediate mass—the
so-called δ Scuti stars—have rich pulsation spectra for which systematic mode
identification has not hitherto been possible6,7. This arises because only a seemingly
random subset of possible modes are excited and because rapid rotation tends to
spoil regular patterns8–10. Here we report the detection of remarkably regular
sequences of high-frequency pulsation modes in 60 intermediate-mass
main-sequence stars, which enables definitive mode identification. The space
motions of some of these stars indicate that they are members of known associations
of young stars, as confirmed by modelling of their pulsation spectra.
Beyond the Kuiper Belt Edge: New High Perihelion Trans-Neptunian Objects With...Sérgio Sacani
We are conducting a survey for distant solar system objects beyond the Kuiper
Belt edge ( 50 AU) with new wide-field cameras on the Subaru and CTIO tele-
scopes. We are interested in the orbits of objects that are decoupled from the
giant planet region in order to understand the structure of the outer solar sys-
tem, including whether a massive planet exists beyond a few hundred AU as first
reported in Trujillo and Sheppard (2014). In addition to discovering extreme
trans-Neptunian objects detailed elsewhere, we have found several objects with
high perihelia (q > 40 AU) that differ from the extreme and inner Oort cloud
objects due to their moderate semi-major axes (50 < a < 100 AU) and eccen-
tricities (e . 0.3). Newly discovered objects 2014 FZ71 and 2015 FJ345 have
the third and fourth highest perihelia known after Sedna and 2012 VP113, yet
their orbits are not nearly as eccentric or distant. We found several of these high
perihelion but moderate orbit objects and observe that they are mostly near Nep-
tune mean motion resonances and have significant inclinations (i > 20 degrees).
These moderate objects likely obtained their unusual orbits through combined
interactions with Neptune’s mean motion resonances and the Kozai resonance,
similar to the origin scenarios for 2004 XR190. We also find the distant 2008
ST291 has likely been modified by the MMR+KR mechanism through the 6:1
Neptune resonance. We discuss these moderately eccentric, distant objects along
with some other interesting low inclination outer classical belt objects like 2012
FH84 discovered in our ongoing survey.
The 19 Feb. 2016 Outburst of Comet 67P/CG: An ESA Rosetta Multi-Instrument StudySérgio Sacani
On 19 Feb. 2016 nine Rosetta instruments serendipitously observed an outburst of gas and dust
from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Among these instruments were cameras
and spectrometers ranging from UV over visible to microwave wavelengths, in-situ gas, dust and
plasma instruments, and one dust collector. At 9:40 a dust cloud developed at the edge of an image
in the shadowed region of the nucleus. Over the next two hours the instruments recorded a signature
of the outburst that signicantly exceeded the background. The enhancement ranged from 50% of
the neutral gas density at Rosetta to factors >100 of the brightness of the coma near the nucleus.
Dust related phenomena (dust counts or brightness due to illuminated dust) showed the strongest
enhancements (factors >10). However, even the electron density at Rosetta increased by a factor 3
and consequently the spacecraft potential changed from 16V to 20V during the outburst. A
clear sequence of events was observed at the distance of Rosetta (34 km from the nucleus): within 15
minutes the Star Tracker camera detected fast particles ( 25 ms 1) while 100 m radius particles
were detected by the GIADA dust instrument 1 hour later at a speed of 6 ms 1. The slowest
were individual mm to cm sized grains observed by the OSIRIS cameras. Although the outburst
originated just outside the FOV of the instruments, the source region and the magnitude of the
outburst could be determined.
The Internal Structure of Asteroid (25143) Itokawa as Revealed by Detection o...WellingtonRodrigues2014
- The authors detected an acceleration in the rotation rate of asteroid (25143) Itokawa through photometric observations spanning 2001 to 2013.
- By measuring rotational phase offsets between observed and modeled lightcurves, they found a YORP acceleration of 3.54 ± 0.38 × 10−8 rad day−2, equivalent to a decrease in the asteroid's rotation period of about 45 ms per year.
- Thermophysical modeling of the detailed shape model from the Hayabusa spacecraft could not reconcile the observed YORP strength unless the asteroid's center of mass is shifted by about 21 m along its long axis. This suggests Itokawa has two components with different densities that merged, either from a
A terrestrial planet_candidate_in_a_temperate_orbit_around_proxima_centauriSérgio Sacani
At a distance of 1.295 parsecs,1 the red-dwarf Proxima Centauri (α Centauri C, GL 551,
HIP 70890, or simply Proxima) is the Sun’s closest stellar neighbour and one of the best studied
low-mass stars. It has an effective temperature of only 3050 K, a luminosity of 0.1 per
cent solar, a measured radius of 0.14 R⊙
2 and a mass of about 12 per cent the mass of the
Sun. Although Proxima is considered a moderately active star, its rotation period is 83
days,3 and its quiescent activity levels and X-ray luminosity4 are comparable to the Sun’s. New
observations reveal the presence of a small planet orbiting Proxima with a minimum mass of
1.3 Earth masses and an orbital period of 11.2 days. Its orbital semi-major axis is 0.05 AU,
with an equilibrium temperature in the range where water could be liquid on its surface.5
The completeness-corrected rate of stellar encounters with the Sun from the f...Sérgio Sacani
I report on close encounters of stars to the Sun found in the first Gaia data release (GDR1). Combining Gaia astrometry with radial
velocities of around 320 000 stars drawn from various catalogues, I integrate orbits in a Galactic potential to identify those stars which
come within a few parsecs. Such encounters could influence the solar system, for example through gravitational perturbations of the
Oort cloud. 16 stars are found to come within 2 pc (although a few of these have dubious data). This is fewer than were found in a
similar study based on Hipparcos data, even though the present study has many more candidates. This is partly because I reject stars
with large radial velocity uncertainties (>10 km s−1
), and partly because of missing stars in GDR1 (especially at the bright end). The
closest encounter found is Gl 710, a K dwarf long-known to come close to the Sun in about 1.3 Myr. The Gaia astrometry predict
a much closer passage than pre-Gaia estimates, however: just 16 000 AU (90% confidence interval: 10 000–21 000 AU), which will
bring this star well within the Oort cloud. Using a simple model for the spatial, velocity, and luminosity distributions of stars, together
with an approximation of the observational selection function, I model the incompleteness of this Gaia-based search as a function
of the time and distance of closest approach. Applying this to a subset of the observed encounters (excluding duplicates and stars
with implausibly large velocities), I estimate the rate of stellar encounters within 5 pc averaged over the past and future 5 Myr to be
545±59 Myr−1
. Assuming a quadratic scaling of the rate within some encounter distance (which my model predicts), this corresponds
to 87 ± 9 Myr−1 within 2 pc. A more accurate analysis and assessment will be possible with future Gaia data releases.
This study analyzed transit observations of the Neptune-mass exoplanet GJ 436b taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. The transmission spectrum was found to be featureless, ruling out cloud-free hydrogen-dominated atmosphere models with high significance. The flat transmission spectrum is consistent with either an atmosphere containing high-altitude clouds located at a pressure of around 1 millibar, or a relatively hydrogen-poor atmosphere with 3% hydrogen and helium by mass. Bayesian atmospheric modeling showed that cloudy hydrogen-dominated or high-metallicity hydrogen-poor atmospheres provide the best fits to the data. Further observations are needed to distinguish between these scenarios.
Supermassive black holes in galaxy centres can grow by the accretion
of gas, liberating enormous amounts of energy that might
regulate star formation on galaxy-wide scales1–3
. The nature of
gaseous fuel reservoirs that power black hole growth is nevertheless
largely unconstrained by observations, and is instead routinely
simplified as a smooth, spherical inflow of very hot gas
in accordance with the Bondi solution4
. Recent theory5–7 and
simulations8–10 instead predict that accretion can be dominated by
a stochastic, clumpy distribution of very cold molecular clouds,
though unambiguous observational support for this prediction remains
elusive. Here we show observational evidence for a cold,
clumpy accretion flow toward a supermassive black hole fuel reservoir
in the nucleus of the Abell 2597 Brightest Cluster Galaxy
(BCG), a nearby (z = 0.0821) giant elliptical galaxy surrounded
by a dense halo of hot plasma11–13. Under the right conditions,
thermal instabilities can precipitate from this hot gas, producing a
rain of cold clouds that fall toward the galaxy’s centre14, sustaining
star formation amid a kiloparsec-scale molecular nebula that inhabits
its core15. New interferometric sub-millimetre observations
show that these cold clouds also fuel black hole accretion, revealing
“shadows” cast by molecular clouds as they move inward at ∼ 300
km s−1
toward the active supermassive black hole in the galaxy
centre, which serves as a bright backlight. Corroborating evidence
from prior observations16 of warmer atomic gas at extremely high
spatial resolution17, along with simple arguments based on geometry
and probability, indicates that these clouds are within the innermost
hundred parsecs of the black hole, and falling closer toward
it
Large turbulent reservoirs of cold molecular gas around high-redshift starbur...Sérgio Sacani
This document discusses observations of six lensed starburst galaxies at redshift ~2.5 using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The key findings are:
1) ALMA detected emission and absorption lines of the CH+ molecule in the spectra of five out of the six galaxies, indicating dense shocks and highly turbulent reservoirs of cool gas extending over 10 kiloparsecs outside the starburst regions.
2) The broad CH+ emission lines trace shocks moving at ~40 km/s within dense gas, while the absorption lines reveal turbulent reservoirs with velocities of ~400 km/s.
3) The turbulent reservoirs have radii of 10-20 kilopar
We present deep optical images of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) using
a low cost telephoto lens with a wide field of view to explore stellar substructure in the outskirts
of the stellar disk of the LMC (r < 10 degrees from the center). These data have higher resolution
than existing star count maps, and highlight the existence of stellar arcs and multiple spiral arms in
the northern periphery, with no comparable counterparts in the South. We compare these data to
detailed simulations of the LMC disk outskirts, following interactions with its low mass companion,
the SMC. We consider interaction in isolation and with the inclusion of the Milky Way tidal field.
The simulations are used to assess the origin of the northern structures, including also the low density
stellar arc recently identified in the DES data by Mackey et al. (2015) at ∼ 15 degrees. We conclude
that repeated close interactions with the SMC are primarily responsible for the asymmetric stellar
structures seen in the periphery of the LMC. The orientation and density of these arcs can be used to
constrain the LMC’s interaction history with and impact parameter of the SMC. More generally, we
find that such asymmetric structures should be ubiquitous about pairs of dwarfs and can persist for
1-2 Gyr even after the secondary merges entirely with the primary. As such, the lack of a companion
around a Magellanic Irregular does not disprove the hypothesis that their asymmetric structures are
driven by dwarf-dwarf interactions.
Detection of a_supervoid_aligned_with_the_cold_spot_of_the_cosmic_microwave_b...Sérgio Sacani
This study uses infrared galaxy data from WISE and 2MASS surveys matched with optical data from the Pan-STARRS1 survey to search for a supervoid in the direction of the cosmic microwave background cold spot. Radial galaxy density profiles centered on the cold spot show a large underdensity extending over tens of degrees. Counts in photometric redshift bins within radii of 5 and 15 degrees show significantly low galaxy densities, at 5-6 sigma detection levels. This is consistent with a large 220 Mpc supervoid with an average density contrast of -0.14, centered at a redshift of 0.22. Such a supervoid could plausibly explain the observed cold spot in the cosmic microwave background.
This document presents an analysis of transit spectroscopy observations of three exoplanets - WASP-12 b, WASP-17 b, and WASP-19 b - using the Wide Field Camera 3 instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope. The observations achieved almost photon-limited precision but uncertainties in the transit depths were increased by the uneven sampling of the light curves. The final transit spectra for all three planets are consistent with the presence of a water absorption feature at 1.4 microns, though the amplitude is smaller than expected from previous Spitzer observations possibly due to hazes. Due to degeneracies between models, the data cannot unambiguously constrain the atmospheric compositions without additional observations.
Kepler-1647b is the largest and longest-period Kepler transiting circumbinary planet discovered to date. It orbits an eclipsing binary star system with an orbital period of approximately 1100 days, making it one of the longest-period transiting planets known. The planet is around 1.06 times the size of Jupiter and perturbes the times of the stellar eclipses, allowing its mass to be measured at 1.52 times that of Jupiter. Despite its long orbital period compared to Earth, the planet resides in the habitable zone of the binary star system throughout its orbit. The discovery of this unusual planetary system provides insights into theories of planet formation and dynamics in multiple star systems.
On some structural_features_of_the_metagalaxySérgio Sacani
Progress in a group of investigations designed
to discover some of the structural details in individual galaxies and in the
Metagalaxy is reported in the following pages.
(a) The first section is concerned with the distribution of cluster-type
Cepheids in high galactic latitude. To the 169 already known in latitudes,
greater than or equal to ± 20o
, the systematic variable star programme carried
on at Harvard has added 312, mostly fainter than magnitude 13-0. With
allowance for absorption and for uncertainties yet remaining in the mean
absolute magnitude of these stars, the thickness of the Milky Way, so far
as this type of star is concerned, is not less than twenty-five kiloparsecs ;
he extent of the Milky Way in its own plane, by the same criterion, is more
than thirty kiloparsecs, perhaps much more.
(b) The extent of the Milky Way in the anti-centre quadrant is considered
on the basis of classical and cluster-type Cepheids ; provisionally
it is found that the galactic system reaches to a distance of at least ten
kiloparsecs in longitude 150o
.
(r) More than six hundred new variables have been found in the Large
Magellanic Cloud and measured for position, ranges and median magnitudes ;
the frequency of periods is not unlike that for the classical Cepheids in the
galactic system ; the light curves also are comparable in all details. The
Magellanic Cepheids, like the galactic classical Cepheids, are concentrated
in regions of high star-density.
(d) Further study of the period-luminosity relation in the Large Magellanic
Cloud permits its revision and strengthening for the Cepheids of
highest absolute magnitude. An observed deviation from the relation
that had previously been found for the Small Cloud is probably to be
attributed to scale error in the magnitude system. No seriously disturbing
High-resolution UV/Optical/IR Imaging of Jupiter in 2016–2019Sérgio Sacani
Imaging observations of Jupiter with high spatial resolution were acquired beginning in 2016, with a cadence of 53
days to coincide with atmospheric observations of the Juno spacecraft during each perijove pass. The Wide Field
Camera 3 (WFC3) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) collected Jupiter images from 236 to 925 nm in 14
filters. The Near-Infrared Imager (NIRI) at Gemini North imaged Jovian thermal emission using a lucky-imaging
approach (co-adding the sharpest frames taken from a sequence of short exposures), using the M′ filter at 4.7 μm.
We discuss the data acquisition and processing and an archive collection that contains the processed WFC3 and
NIRI data (doi:10.17909/T94T1H). Zonal winds remain steady over time at most latitudes, but significant
evolution of the wind profile near 24°N in 2016 and near 15°S in 2017 was linked with convective superstorm
eruptions. Persistent mesoscale waves were seen throughout the 2016–2019 period. We link groups of lightning
flashes observed by the Juno team with water clouds in a large convective plume near 15°S and in cyclones near
35°N–55°N. Thermal infrared maps at the 10.8 micron wavelength obtained at the Very Large Telescope show
consistent high brightness temperature anomalies, despite a diversity of aerosol properties seen in the HST data.
Both WFC3 and NIRI imaging reveal depleted aerosols consistent with downwelling around the periphery of the
15°S storm, which was also observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. NIRI imaging of
the Great Red Spot shows that locally reduced cloud opacity is responsible for dark features within the vortex. The
HST data maps multiple concentric polar hoods of high-latitude hazes.
1) Researchers observed 15 transits of the exoplanet GJ 1214b using the Hubble Space Telescope to measure its transmission spectrum from 1.1 to 1.7 microns.
2) The transmission spectrum was featureless, inconsistent with cloud-free atmospheres dominated by water, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide.
3) The most likely explanation for the featureless spectrum is the presence of high-altitude clouds in the planet's atmosphere, which block the transmission of stellar light through the lower atmosphere.
The importance of comets for the origin of life on Earth has been advocated for many decades. Amino acids are
key ingredients in chemistry, leading to life as we know it. Many primitive meteorites contain amino acids, and it
is generally believed that these are formed by aqueous alterations. In the collector aerogel and foil samples of the
Stardust mission after the flyby at comet Wild 2, the simplest form of amino acids, glycine, has been found
together with precursor molecules methylamine and ethylamine. Because of contamination issues of the samples,
a cometary origin was deduced from the 13C isotopic signature. We report the presence of volatile glycine
accompanied by methylamine and ethylamine in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko measured by
the ROSINA (Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis) mass spectrometer, confirming the
Stardust results. Together with the detection of phosphorus and a multitude of organic molecules, this result
demonstrates that comets could have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth.
This document summarizes the detection of a super-Earth planet orbiting the star GJ 832. Radial velocity data from three telescopes revealed a planet, GJ 832c, with an orbital period of 35.68 days and a minimum mass of 5.4 Earth masses. GJ 832c has a low eccentricity orbit of 0.18 near the inner edge of the star's habitable zone. However, given its large mass, the planet likely has a massive atmosphere that could render it uninhabitable. The GJ 832 system resembles a miniature version of our solar system, with an interior potentially rocky planet and a distant gas giant.
A 2 4_determination_of_the_local_value_of_the_hubble_constantSérgio Sacani
We use the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to
reduce the uncertainty in the local value of the Hubble constant from 3.3% to 2.4%.
The bulk of this improvement comes from new, near-infrared observations of Cepheid
variables in 11 host galaxies of recent type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), more than doubling
the sample of reliable SNe Ia having a Cepheid-calibrated distance to a total of 19; these
in turn leverage the magnitude-redshift relation based on 300 SNe Ia at z <0.15. All
19 hosts as well as the megamaser system NGC4258 have been observed with WFC3
in the optical and near-infrared, thus nullifying cross-instrument zeropoint errors in the
relative distance estimates from Cepheids. Other noteworthy improvements include a
33% reduction in the systematic uncertainty in the maser distance to NGC4258, a larger
sample of Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a more robust distance to
the LMC based on late-type detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs), HST observations of
Cepheids in M31, and new HST-based trigonometric parallaxes for Milky Way (MW)
Cepheids.
Proper-motion age dating of the progeny of Nova Scorpii ad 1437Sérgio Sacani
‘Cataclysmic variables’ are binary star systems in which one
star of the pair is a white dwarf, and which often generate bright
and energetic stellar outbursts. Classical novae are one type of
outburst: when the white dwarf accretes enough matter from its
companion, the resulting hydrogen-rich atmospheric envelope
can host a runaway thermonuclear reaction that generates a rapid
brightening1–4. Achieving peak luminosities of up to one million
times that of the Sun5
, all classical novae are recurrent, on timescales
of months6
to millennia7
. During the century before and after an
eruption, the ‘novalike’ binary systems that give rise to classical
novae exhibit high rates of mass transfer to their white dwarfs8
.
Another type of outburst is the dwarf nova: these occur in binaries
that have stellar masses and periods indistinguishable from those
of novalikes9
but much lower mass-transfer rates10, when accretiondisk
instabilities11 drop matter onto the white dwarfs. The coexistence
at the same orbital period of novalike binaries and dwarf
novae—which are identical but for their widely varying accretion
rates—has been a longstanding puzzle9
. Here we report the recovery
of the binary star underlying the classical nova eruption of 11 March
ad 1437 (refs 12, 13), and independently confirm its age by propermotion
dating. We show that, almost 500 years after a classical-nova
event, the system exhibited dwarf-nova eruptions. The three other
oldest recovered classical novae14–16 display nova shells, but lack
firm post-eruption ages17,18, and are also dwarf novae at present.
We conclude that many old novae become dwarf novae for part of
the millennia between successive nova eruptions19,
Water vapour absorption_in_the_clear_atmosphere_of_a_neptune_sized_exoplanetSérgio Sacani
This document summarizes research on the transmission spectrum of the exoplanet HAT-P-11b, a Neptune-sized planet. Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope detected water vapor absorption in the planet's atmosphere at a wavelength of 1.4 micrometers. Analysis of the spectrum indicates the atmosphere is predominantly clear down to 1 mbar and has a hydrogen abundance similar to solar values. Atmospheric modeling suggests a metallicity around 190 times that of the Sun's, in agreement with core accretion planet formation theories. This makes HAT-P-11b the smallest exoplanet to date with a detected molecular signature in its atmosphere, providing new insights into the composition and formation of Neptune-sized
DISCOVERY OF A GALAXY CLUSTER WITH A VIOLENTLY STARBURSTING CORE AT z = 2:506Sérgio Sacani
We report the discovery of a remarkable concentration of massive galaxies with extended X-ray
emission at zspec = 2:506, which contains 11 massive (M & 1011M) galaxies in the central 80kpc
region (11.6 overdensity). We have spectroscopically conrmed 17 member galaxies with 11 from CO
and the remaining ones from H. The X-ray luminosity, stellar mass content and velocity dispersion
all point to a collapsed, cluster-sized dark matter halo with mass M200c = 1013:90:2M, making it
the most distant X-ray-detected cluster known to date. Unlike other clusters discovered so far, this
structure is dominated by star-forming galaxies (SFGs) in the core with only 2 out of the 11 massive
galaxies classied as quiescent. The star formation rate (SFR) in the 80kpc core reaches 3400 M
yr 1 with a gas depletion time of 200 Myr, suggesting that we caught this cluster in rapid build-up
of a dense core. The high SFR is driven by both a high abundance of SFGs and a higher starburst
fraction ( 25%, compared to 3%-5% in the eld). The presence of both a collapsed, cluster-sized
halo and a predominant population of massive SFGs suggests that this structure could represent an
important transition phase between protoclusters and mature clusters. It provides evidence that the
main phase of massive galaxy passivization will take place after galaxies accrete onto the cluster,
providing new insights into massive cluster formation at early epochs. The large integrated stellar
mass at such high redshift challenges our understanding of massive cluster formation.
TEMPORAL EVOLUTION OF THE HIGH-ENERGY IRRADIATION AND WATER CONTENT OF TRAPPI...Sérgio Sacani
The ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 hosts seven Earth-size transiting planets, some of which could
harbour liquid water on their surfaces. UV observations are essential to measure their high-energy
irradiation, and to search for photodissociated water escaping from their putative atmospheres. Our
new observations of TRAPPIST-1 Ly-α line during the transit of TRAPPIST-1c show an evolution of
the star emission over three months, preventing us from assessing the presence of an extended hydrogen
exosphere. Based on the current knowledge of the stellar irradiation, we investigated the likely history
of water loss in the system. Planets b to d might still be in a runaway phase, and planets within the
orbit of TRAPPIST-1g could have lost more than 20 Earth oceans after 8 Gyr of hydrodynamic escape.
However, TRAPPIST-1e to h might have lost less than 3 Earth oceans if hydrodynamic escape stopped
once they entered the habitable zone. We caution that these estimates remain limited by the large
uncertainty on the planet masses. They likely represent upper limits on the actual water loss because
our assumptions maximize the XUV-driven escape, while photodissociation in the upper atmospheres
should be the limiting process. Late-stage outgassing could also have contributed significant amounts
of water for the outer, more massive planets after they entered the habitable zone. While our results
suggest that the outer planets are the best candidates to search for water with the JWST, they also
highlight the need for theoretical studies and complementary observations in all wavelength domains
to determine the nature of the TRAPPIST-1 planets, and their potential habitability.
Keywords: planetary systems - Stars: individual: TRAPPIST-1
Is there an_exoplanet_in_the_solar_systemSérgio Sacani
We investigate the prospects for the capture of the proposed Planet 9 from other
stars in the Sun’s birth cluster. Any capture scenario must satisfy three conditions:
the encounter must be more distant than ∼ 150 au to avoid perturbing the Kuiper
belt; the other star must have a wide-orbit planet (a & 100 au); the planet must be
captured onto an appropriate orbit to sculpt the orbital distribution of wide-orbit
Solar System bodies. Here we use N-body simulations to show that these criteria may
be simultaneously satisfied. In a few percent of slow close encounters in a cluster,
bodies are captured onto heliocentric, Planet 9-like orbits. During the ∼ 100 Myr
cluster phase, many stars are likely to host planets on highly-eccentric orbits with
apastron distances beyond 100 au if Neptune-sized planets are common and susceptible
to planet–planet scattering. While the existence of Planet 9 remains unproven, we
consider capture from one of the Sun’s young brethren a plausible route to explain such
an object’s orbit. Capture appears to predict a large population of Trans-Neptunian
Objects (TNOs) whose orbits are aligned with the captured planet, and we propose
that different formation mechanisms will be distinguishable based on their imprint on
the distribution of TNOs
Five-Dimensional Cosmological Model with Time-Dependent G and Lamda for Const...IOSR Journals
In this paper we have consider five-dimensional cosmological model in presence of perfect fluid
source with time dependent G and .The Einstein field equations are solvable with the help of constant
deceleration parameter. Physical and kinematical properties of this model are investigated. It has been shown
that the solutions are comparable with recent observations. The behavior of gravitational constant,
cosmological constant, density, critical density and pressure is discussed for dust, radiation dominated and stiff matter of the Universe. It is also examined the behavior of gravitational constant and cosmological constant for expansion law and exponential law for stiff matter
1) This study uses a deep learning model to estimate stratospheric gravity wave potential energy (GW Ep) averaged over 20-30 km using ERA5 reanalysis data and terrain data as inputs. The model is trained using GW Ep values calculated from COSMIC radio occultation data as labels.
2) The results show the model can effectively estimate the zonal trend of GW Ep but with larger errors in low latitudes than mid-latitudes. Seasonal variations are also seen in the estimated GW Ep.
3) The estimated GW Ep shows the effect of the quasi-biennial oscillation, though its amplitude may be less than that of the measured GW Ep from COSMIC data.
A terrestrial planet_candidate_in_a_temperate_orbit_around_proxima_centauriSérgio Sacani
At a distance of 1.295 parsecs,1 the red-dwarf Proxima Centauri (α Centauri C, GL 551,
HIP 70890, or simply Proxima) is the Sun’s closest stellar neighbour and one of the best studied
low-mass stars. It has an effective temperature of only 3050 K, a luminosity of 0.1 per
cent solar, a measured radius of 0.14 R⊙
2 and a mass of about 12 per cent the mass of the
Sun. Although Proxima is considered a moderately active star, its rotation period is 83
days,3 and its quiescent activity levels and X-ray luminosity4 are comparable to the Sun’s. New
observations reveal the presence of a small planet orbiting Proxima with a minimum mass of
1.3 Earth masses and an orbital period of 11.2 days. Its orbital semi-major axis is 0.05 AU,
with an equilibrium temperature in the range where water could be liquid on its surface.5
The completeness-corrected rate of stellar encounters with the Sun from the f...Sérgio Sacani
I report on close encounters of stars to the Sun found in the first Gaia data release (GDR1). Combining Gaia astrometry with radial
velocities of around 320 000 stars drawn from various catalogues, I integrate orbits in a Galactic potential to identify those stars which
come within a few parsecs. Such encounters could influence the solar system, for example through gravitational perturbations of the
Oort cloud. 16 stars are found to come within 2 pc (although a few of these have dubious data). This is fewer than were found in a
similar study based on Hipparcos data, even though the present study has many more candidates. This is partly because I reject stars
with large radial velocity uncertainties (>10 km s−1
), and partly because of missing stars in GDR1 (especially at the bright end). The
closest encounter found is Gl 710, a K dwarf long-known to come close to the Sun in about 1.3 Myr. The Gaia astrometry predict
a much closer passage than pre-Gaia estimates, however: just 16 000 AU (90% confidence interval: 10 000–21 000 AU), which will
bring this star well within the Oort cloud. Using a simple model for the spatial, velocity, and luminosity distributions of stars, together
with an approximation of the observational selection function, I model the incompleteness of this Gaia-based search as a function
of the time and distance of closest approach. Applying this to a subset of the observed encounters (excluding duplicates and stars
with implausibly large velocities), I estimate the rate of stellar encounters within 5 pc averaged over the past and future 5 Myr to be
545±59 Myr−1
. Assuming a quadratic scaling of the rate within some encounter distance (which my model predicts), this corresponds
to 87 ± 9 Myr−1 within 2 pc. A more accurate analysis and assessment will be possible with future Gaia data releases.
This study analyzed transit observations of the Neptune-mass exoplanet GJ 436b taken with the Hubble Space Telescope. The transmission spectrum was found to be featureless, ruling out cloud-free hydrogen-dominated atmosphere models with high significance. The flat transmission spectrum is consistent with either an atmosphere containing high-altitude clouds located at a pressure of around 1 millibar, or a relatively hydrogen-poor atmosphere with 3% hydrogen and helium by mass. Bayesian atmospheric modeling showed that cloudy hydrogen-dominated or high-metallicity hydrogen-poor atmospheres provide the best fits to the data. Further observations are needed to distinguish between these scenarios.
Supermassive black holes in galaxy centres can grow by the accretion
of gas, liberating enormous amounts of energy that might
regulate star formation on galaxy-wide scales1–3
. The nature of
gaseous fuel reservoirs that power black hole growth is nevertheless
largely unconstrained by observations, and is instead routinely
simplified as a smooth, spherical inflow of very hot gas
in accordance with the Bondi solution4
. Recent theory5–7 and
simulations8–10 instead predict that accretion can be dominated by
a stochastic, clumpy distribution of very cold molecular clouds,
though unambiguous observational support for this prediction remains
elusive. Here we show observational evidence for a cold,
clumpy accretion flow toward a supermassive black hole fuel reservoir
in the nucleus of the Abell 2597 Brightest Cluster Galaxy
(BCG), a nearby (z = 0.0821) giant elliptical galaxy surrounded
by a dense halo of hot plasma11–13. Under the right conditions,
thermal instabilities can precipitate from this hot gas, producing a
rain of cold clouds that fall toward the galaxy’s centre14, sustaining
star formation amid a kiloparsec-scale molecular nebula that inhabits
its core15. New interferometric sub-millimetre observations
show that these cold clouds also fuel black hole accretion, revealing
“shadows” cast by molecular clouds as they move inward at ∼ 300
km s−1
toward the active supermassive black hole in the galaxy
centre, which serves as a bright backlight. Corroborating evidence
from prior observations16 of warmer atomic gas at extremely high
spatial resolution17, along with simple arguments based on geometry
and probability, indicates that these clouds are within the innermost
hundred parsecs of the black hole, and falling closer toward
it
Large turbulent reservoirs of cold molecular gas around high-redshift starbur...Sérgio Sacani
This document discusses observations of six lensed starburst galaxies at redshift ~2.5 using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The key findings are:
1) ALMA detected emission and absorption lines of the CH+ molecule in the spectra of five out of the six galaxies, indicating dense shocks and highly turbulent reservoirs of cool gas extending over 10 kiloparsecs outside the starburst regions.
2) The broad CH+ emission lines trace shocks moving at ~40 km/s within dense gas, while the absorption lines reveal turbulent reservoirs with velocities of ~400 km/s.
3) The turbulent reservoirs have radii of 10-20 kilopar
We present deep optical images of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) using
a low cost telephoto lens with a wide field of view to explore stellar substructure in the outskirts
of the stellar disk of the LMC (r < 10 degrees from the center). These data have higher resolution
than existing star count maps, and highlight the existence of stellar arcs and multiple spiral arms in
the northern periphery, with no comparable counterparts in the South. We compare these data to
detailed simulations of the LMC disk outskirts, following interactions with its low mass companion,
the SMC. We consider interaction in isolation and with the inclusion of the Milky Way tidal field.
The simulations are used to assess the origin of the northern structures, including also the low density
stellar arc recently identified in the DES data by Mackey et al. (2015) at ∼ 15 degrees. We conclude
that repeated close interactions with the SMC are primarily responsible for the asymmetric stellar
structures seen in the periphery of the LMC. The orientation and density of these arcs can be used to
constrain the LMC’s interaction history with and impact parameter of the SMC. More generally, we
find that such asymmetric structures should be ubiquitous about pairs of dwarfs and can persist for
1-2 Gyr even after the secondary merges entirely with the primary. As such, the lack of a companion
around a Magellanic Irregular does not disprove the hypothesis that their asymmetric structures are
driven by dwarf-dwarf interactions.
Detection of a_supervoid_aligned_with_the_cold_spot_of_the_cosmic_microwave_b...Sérgio Sacani
This study uses infrared galaxy data from WISE and 2MASS surveys matched with optical data from the Pan-STARRS1 survey to search for a supervoid in the direction of the cosmic microwave background cold spot. Radial galaxy density profiles centered on the cold spot show a large underdensity extending over tens of degrees. Counts in photometric redshift bins within radii of 5 and 15 degrees show significantly low galaxy densities, at 5-6 sigma detection levels. This is consistent with a large 220 Mpc supervoid with an average density contrast of -0.14, centered at a redshift of 0.22. Such a supervoid could plausibly explain the observed cold spot in the cosmic microwave background.
This document presents an analysis of transit spectroscopy observations of three exoplanets - WASP-12 b, WASP-17 b, and WASP-19 b - using the Wide Field Camera 3 instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope. The observations achieved almost photon-limited precision but uncertainties in the transit depths were increased by the uneven sampling of the light curves. The final transit spectra for all three planets are consistent with the presence of a water absorption feature at 1.4 microns, though the amplitude is smaller than expected from previous Spitzer observations possibly due to hazes. Due to degeneracies between models, the data cannot unambiguously constrain the atmospheric compositions without additional observations.
Kepler-1647b is the largest and longest-period Kepler transiting circumbinary planet discovered to date. It orbits an eclipsing binary star system with an orbital period of approximately 1100 days, making it one of the longest-period transiting planets known. The planet is around 1.06 times the size of Jupiter and perturbes the times of the stellar eclipses, allowing its mass to be measured at 1.52 times that of Jupiter. Despite its long orbital period compared to Earth, the planet resides in the habitable zone of the binary star system throughout its orbit. The discovery of this unusual planetary system provides insights into theories of planet formation and dynamics in multiple star systems.
On some structural_features_of_the_metagalaxySérgio Sacani
Progress in a group of investigations designed
to discover some of the structural details in individual galaxies and in the
Metagalaxy is reported in the following pages.
(a) The first section is concerned with the distribution of cluster-type
Cepheids in high galactic latitude. To the 169 already known in latitudes,
greater than or equal to ± 20o
, the systematic variable star programme carried
on at Harvard has added 312, mostly fainter than magnitude 13-0. With
allowance for absorption and for uncertainties yet remaining in the mean
absolute magnitude of these stars, the thickness of the Milky Way, so far
as this type of star is concerned, is not less than twenty-five kiloparsecs ;
he extent of the Milky Way in its own plane, by the same criterion, is more
than thirty kiloparsecs, perhaps much more.
(b) The extent of the Milky Way in the anti-centre quadrant is considered
on the basis of classical and cluster-type Cepheids ; provisionally
it is found that the galactic system reaches to a distance of at least ten
kiloparsecs in longitude 150o
.
(r) More than six hundred new variables have been found in the Large
Magellanic Cloud and measured for position, ranges and median magnitudes ;
the frequency of periods is not unlike that for the classical Cepheids in the
galactic system ; the light curves also are comparable in all details. The
Magellanic Cepheids, like the galactic classical Cepheids, are concentrated
in regions of high star-density.
(d) Further study of the period-luminosity relation in the Large Magellanic
Cloud permits its revision and strengthening for the Cepheids of
highest absolute magnitude. An observed deviation from the relation
that had previously been found for the Small Cloud is probably to be
attributed to scale error in the magnitude system. No seriously disturbing
High-resolution UV/Optical/IR Imaging of Jupiter in 2016–2019Sérgio Sacani
Imaging observations of Jupiter with high spatial resolution were acquired beginning in 2016, with a cadence of 53
days to coincide with atmospheric observations of the Juno spacecraft during each perijove pass. The Wide Field
Camera 3 (WFC3) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) collected Jupiter images from 236 to 925 nm in 14
filters. The Near-Infrared Imager (NIRI) at Gemini North imaged Jovian thermal emission using a lucky-imaging
approach (co-adding the sharpest frames taken from a sequence of short exposures), using the M′ filter at 4.7 μm.
We discuss the data acquisition and processing and an archive collection that contains the processed WFC3 and
NIRI data (doi:10.17909/T94T1H). Zonal winds remain steady over time at most latitudes, but significant
evolution of the wind profile near 24°N in 2016 and near 15°S in 2017 was linked with convective superstorm
eruptions. Persistent mesoscale waves were seen throughout the 2016–2019 period. We link groups of lightning
flashes observed by the Juno team with water clouds in a large convective plume near 15°S and in cyclones near
35°N–55°N. Thermal infrared maps at the 10.8 micron wavelength obtained at the Very Large Telescope show
consistent high brightness temperature anomalies, despite a diversity of aerosol properties seen in the HST data.
Both WFC3 and NIRI imaging reveal depleted aerosols consistent with downwelling around the periphery of the
15°S storm, which was also observed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. NIRI imaging of
the Great Red Spot shows that locally reduced cloud opacity is responsible for dark features within the vortex. The
HST data maps multiple concentric polar hoods of high-latitude hazes.
1) Researchers observed 15 transits of the exoplanet GJ 1214b using the Hubble Space Telescope to measure its transmission spectrum from 1.1 to 1.7 microns.
2) The transmission spectrum was featureless, inconsistent with cloud-free atmospheres dominated by water, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide.
3) The most likely explanation for the featureless spectrum is the presence of high-altitude clouds in the planet's atmosphere, which block the transmission of stellar light through the lower atmosphere.
The importance of comets for the origin of life on Earth has been advocated for many decades. Amino acids are
key ingredients in chemistry, leading to life as we know it. Many primitive meteorites contain amino acids, and it
is generally believed that these are formed by aqueous alterations. In the collector aerogel and foil samples of the
Stardust mission after the flyby at comet Wild 2, the simplest form of amino acids, glycine, has been found
together with precursor molecules methylamine and ethylamine. Because of contamination issues of the samples,
a cometary origin was deduced from the 13C isotopic signature. We report the presence of volatile glycine
accompanied by methylamine and ethylamine in the coma of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko measured by
the ROSINA (Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis) mass spectrometer, confirming the
Stardust results. Together with the detection of phosphorus and a multitude of organic molecules, this result
demonstrates that comets could have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth.
This document summarizes the detection of a super-Earth planet orbiting the star GJ 832. Radial velocity data from three telescopes revealed a planet, GJ 832c, with an orbital period of 35.68 days and a minimum mass of 5.4 Earth masses. GJ 832c has a low eccentricity orbit of 0.18 near the inner edge of the star's habitable zone. However, given its large mass, the planet likely has a massive atmosphere that could render it uninhabitable. The GJ 832 system resembles a miniature version of our solar system, with an interior potentially rocky planet and a distant gas giant.
A 2 4_determination_of_the_local_value_of_the_hubble_constantSérgio Sacani
We use the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to
reduce the uncertainty in the local value of the Hubble constant from 3.3% to 2.4%.
The bulk of this improvement comes from new, near-infrared observations of Cepheid
variables in 11 host galaxies of recent type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), more than doubling
the sample of reliable SNe Ia having a Cepheid-calibrated distance to a total of 19; these
in turn leverage the magnitude-redshift relation based on 300 SNe Ia at z <0.15. All
19 hosts as well as the megamaser system NGC4258 have been observed with WFC3
in the optical and near-infrared, thus nullifying cross-instrument zeropoint errors in the
relative distance estimates from Cepheids. Other noteworthy improvements include a
33% reduction in the systematic uncertainty in the maser distance to NGC4258, a larger
sample of Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a more robust distance to
the LMC based on late-type detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs), HST observations of
Cepheids in M31, and new HST-based trigonometric parallaxes for Milky Way (MW)
Cepheids.
Proper-motion age dating of the progeny of Nova Scorpii ad 1437Sérgio Sacani
‘Cataclysmic variables’ are binary star systems in which one
star of the pair is a white dwarf, and which often generate bright
and energetic stellar outbursts. Classical novae are one type of
outburst: when the white dwarf accretes enough matter from its
companion, the resulting hydrogen-rich atmospheric envelope
can host a runaway thermonuclear reaction that generates a rapid
brightening1–4. Achieving peak luminosities of up to one million
times that of the Sun5
, all classical novae are recurrent, on timescales
of months6
to millennia7
. During the century before and after an
eruption, the ‘novalike’ binary systems that give rise to classical
novae exhibit high rates of mass transfer to their white dwarfs8
.
Another type of outburst is the dwarf nova: these occur in binaries
that have stellar masses and periods indistinguishable from those
of novalikes9
but much lower mass-transfer rates10, when accretiondisk
instabilities11 drop matter onto the white dwarfs. The coexistence
at the same orbital period of novalike binaries and dwarf
novae—which are identical but for their widely varying accretion
rates—has been a longstanding puzzle9
. Here we report the recovery
of the binary star underlying the classical nova eruption of 11 March
ad 1437 (refs 12, 13), and independently confirm its age by propermotion
dating. We show that, almost 500 years after a classical-nova
event, the system exhibited dwarf-nova eruptions. The three other
oldest recovered classical novae14–16 display nova shells, but lack
firm post-eruption ages17,18, and are also dwarf novae at present.
We conclude that many old novae become dwarf novae for part of
the millennia between successive nova eruptions19,
Water vapour absorption_in_the_clear_atmosphere_of_a_neptune_sized_exoplanetSérgio Sacani
This document summarizes research on the transmission spectrum of the exoplanet HAT-P-11b, a Neptune-sized planet. Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope detected water vapor absorption in the planet's atmosphere at a wavelength of 1.4 micrometers. Analysis of the spectrum indicates the atmosphere is predominantly clear down to 1 mbar and has a hydrogen abundance similar to solar values. Atmospheric modeling suggests a metallicity around 190 times that of the Sun's, in agreement with core accretion planet formation theories. This makes HAT-P-11b the smallest exoplanet to date with a detected molecular signature in its atmosphere, providing new insights into the composition and formation of Neptune-sized
DISCOVERY OF A GALAXY CLUSTER WITH A VIOLENTLY STARBURSTING CORE AT z = 2:506Sérgio Sacani
We report the discovery of a remarkable concentration of massive galaxies with extended X-ray
emission at zspec = 2:506, which contains 11 massive (M & 1011M) galaxies in the central 80kpc
region (11.6 overdensity). We have spectroscopically conrmed 17 member galaxies with 11 from CO
and the remaining ones from H. The X-ray luminosity, stellar mass content and velocity dispersion
all point to a collapsed, cluster-sized dark matter halo with mass M200c = 1013:90:2M, making it
the most distant X-ray-detected cluster known to date. Unlike other clusters discovered so far, this
structure is dominated by star-forming galaxies (SFGs) in the core with only 2 out of the 11 massive
galaxies classied as quiescent. The star formation rate (SFR) in the 80kpc core reaches 3400 M
yr 1 with a gas depletion time of 200 Myr, suggesting that we caught this cluster in rapid build-up
of a dense core. The high SFR is driven by both a high abundance of SFGs and a higher starburst
fraction ( 25%, compared to 3%-5% in the eld). The presence of both a collapsed, cluster-sized
halo and a predominant population of massive SFGs suggests that this structure could represent an
important transition phase between protoclusters and mature clusters. It provides evidence that the
main phase of massive galaxy passivization will take place after galaxies accrete onto the cluster,
providing new insights into massive cluster formation at early epochs. The large integrated stellar
mass at such high redshift challenges our understanding of massive cluster formation.
TEMPORAL EVOLUTION OF THE HIGH-ENERGY IRRADIATION AND WATER CONTENT OF TRAPPI...Sérgio Sacani
The ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 hosts seven Earth-size transiting planets, some of which could
harbour liquid water on their surfaces. UV observations are essential to measure their high-energy
irradiation, and to search for photodissociated water escaping from their putative atmospheres. Our
new observations of TRAPPIST-1 Ly-α line during the transit of TRAPPIST-1c show an evolution of
the star emission over three months, preventing us from assessing the presence of an extended hydrogen
exosphere. Based on the current knowledge of the stellar irradiation, we investigated the likely history
of water loss in the system. Planets b to d might still be in a runaway phase, and planets within the
orbit of TRAPPIST-1g could have lost more than 20 Earth oceans after 8 Gyr of hydrodynamic escape.
However, TRAPPIST-1e to h might have lost less than 3 Earth oceans if hydrodynamic escape stopped
once they entered the habitable zone. We caution that these estimates remain limited by the large
uncertainty on the planet masses. They likely represent upper limits on the actual water loss because
our assumptions maximize the XUV-driven escape, while photodissociation in the upper atmospheres
should be the limiting process. Late-stage outgassing could also have contributed significant amounts
of water for the outer, more massive planets after they entered the habitable zone. While our results
suggest that the outer planets are the best candidates to search for water with the JWST, they also
highlight the need for theoretical studies and complementary observations in all wavelength domains
to determine the nature of the TRAPPIST-1 planets, and their potential habitability.
Keywords: planetary systems - Stars: individual: TRAPPIST-1
Is there an_exoplanet_in_the_solar_systemSérgio Sacani
We investigate the prospects for the capture of the proposed Planet 9 from other
stars in the Sun’s birth cluster. Any capture scenario must satisfy three conditions:
the encounter must be more distant than ∼ 150 au to avoid perturbing the Kuiper
belt; the other star must have a wide-orbit planet (a & 100 au); the planet must be
captured onto an appropriate orbit to sculpt the orbital distribution of wide-orbit
Solar System bodies. Here we use N-body simulations to show that these criteria may
be simultaneously satisfied. In a few percent of slow close encounters in a cluster,
bodies are captured onto heliocentric, Planet 9-like orbits. During the ∼ 100 Myr
cluster phase, many stars are likely to host planets on highly-eccentric orbits with
apastron distances beyond 100 au if Neptune-sized planets are common and susceptible
to planet–planet scattering. While the existence of Planet 9 remains unproven, we
consider capture from one of the Sun’s young brethren a plausible route to explain such
an object’s orbit. Capture appears to predict a large population of Trans-Neptunian
Objects (TNOs) whose orbits are aligned with the captured planet, and we propose
that different formation mechanisms will be distinguishable based on their imprint on
the distribution of TNOs
Five-Dimensional Cosmological Model with Time-Dependent G and Lamda for Const...IOSR Journals
In this paper we have consider five-dimensional cosmological model in presence of perfect fluid
source with time dependent G and .The Einstein field equations are solvable with the help of constant
deceleration parameter. Physical and kinematical properties of this model are investigated. It has been shown
that the solutions are comparable with recent observations. The behavior of gravitational constant,
cosmological constant, density, critical density and pressure is discussed for dust, radiation dominated and stiff matter of the Universe. It is also examined the behavior of gravitational constant and cosmological constant for expansion law and exponential law for stiff matter
1) This study uses a deep learning model to estimate stratospheric gravity wave potential energy (GW Ep) averaged over 20-30 km using ERA5 reanalysis data and terrain data as inputs. The model is trained using GW Ep values calculated from COSMIC radio occultation data as labels.
2) The results show the model can effectively estimate the zonal trend of GW Ep but with larger errors in low latitudes than mid-latitudes. Seasonal variations are also seen in the estimated GW Ep.
3) The estimated GW Ep shows the effect of the quasi-biennial oscillation, though its amplitude may be less than that of the measured GW Ep from COSMIC data.
MUSE sneaks a peek at extreme ram-pressure stripping events. I. A kinematic s...Sérgio Sacani
- MUSE observations of the galaxy ESO137-001 reveal an extended gaseous tail over 30 kpc long traced by H-alpha emission, providing evidence of an extreme ram pressure stripping event as the galaxy falls into the massive Norma galaxy cluster.
- Analysis of the H-alpha kinematics and stellar velocity field show that ram pressure has removed the interstellar medium from the outer disk while the primary tail is still fed by gas from the galaxy center, with gravitational interactions not appearing to be the main mechanism of gas removal.
- The stripped gas retains evidence of the disk's rotational velocity out to around 20 kpc downstream, indicating the galaxy is moving radially along the plane of the sky, while
This document describes observations of the galaxy ESO137-001 using the MUSE instrument on the VLT. The key points are:
1) MUSE observations reveal an extended gas tail stretching over 30 kpc from the galaxy, tracing ongoing ram pressure stripping as it falls into the Norma galaxy cluster.
2) Analysis of the gas kinematics and stellar velocity field show that ram pressure has removed the interstellar medium from the outer disk while the primary tail is still fed by gas from the galaxy center.
3) The stripped gas retains evidence of the disk's rotational velocity out to 20 kpc downstream, indicating the galaxy is moving radially through the cluster. Beyond this the gas shows greater turbulence,
The Population of the Galactic Center Filaments: Position Angle Distribution ...Sérgio Sacani
This document analyzes the position angle (PA) distribution of filaments observed in radio images of the Galactic center, obtained using the MeerKAT radio telescope. It finds that short filaments (<66") have PAs concentrated along the Galactic plane (60-120 degrees), pointing radially towards the supermassive black hole Sgr A*. This suggests the filaments have been aligned by a collimated outflow from Sgr A* extending along the Galactic plane. The outflow pressure is estimated to require an outflow rate of 10^-4 solar masses per year over ~6 million years to align the filaments. Longer filaments (>66") show a broader PA distribution, with a peak around -3 degrees
IOSR Journal of Applied Physics (IOSR-JAP) is an open access international journal that provides rapid publication (within a month) of articles in all areas of physics and its applications. The journal welcomes publications of high quality papers on theoretical developments and practical applications in applied physics. Original research papers, state-of-the-art reviews, and high quality technical notes are invited for publications.
What determines the_density_structure_of_molecular_cloudsSérgio Sacani
This document analyzes column density probability distribution functions (PDFs) derived from Herschel observations of the Orion B, Aquila, and Polaris molecular clouds to understand what physical processes influence the density structure. The PDFs of Orion B and Aquila show a lognormal distribution at low densities transitioning to a power-law tail at high densities, indicating gravitational collapse. The Orion B PDF is broader, likely due to external compression. The quiescent Polaris subregion PDF is nearly lognormal, suggesting turbulence governs its density, while a filament subregion shows excess density above a visual extinction of 1, possibly from physical processes like magnetic fields. The document concludes that turbulence, gravity, collapse, and external compression
First results from_the_hubble_opal_program_jupiter_in_2015Sérgio Sacani
Os cientistas usando o Telescópio Espacial Hubble da NASA/ESA produziram novos mapas de Júpiter, que mostram as contínuas mudanças que ocorrem com a famosa Grande Mancha Vermelha. As imagens também revelam uma rara estrutura em forma de onda na atmosfera do planeta que não tinha sido vista por décadas. A nova imagem é a primeira de uma série de retratos anuais dos planetas externos do Sistema Solar, que nos darão um novo olhar desses mundos remotos, e ajudarão os cientistas a estudarem como eles mudam com o passar do tempo.
Nessa nova imagem de Júpiter, uma grande quantidade de feições foi capturada incluindo ventos, nuvens e tempestades. Os cientistas por trás dessas novas imagens, as obtiveram usando a Wide Field Camera 3 do Hubble, num período de observação de mais de 10 horas e produziram assim dois mapas completos do planeta, a partir das suas observações. Esses mapas fizeram com que fosse possível determinar a velocidade dos ventos em Júpiter, com a finalidade de identificar diferentes fenômenos na sua atmosfera além de traquear as suas feições mais famosas.
As novas imagens confirmam que a grande tempestade que tem existido na superfície de nuvens de Júpiter por no mínimo 300 anos, continua a encolher, mas mesmo que desapareça, ela irá morrer lutando. A tempestade, conhecida como Grande Mancha Vermelha, é vista aqui fazendo seus movimentos em espiral no centro da imagem do planeta. Ela tem diminuído de tamanho de maneira muito rápida de ano em ano. Mas agora, a taxa de encolhimento parece ter reduzido novamente, mesmo apesar da mancha ser cerca de 240 quilômetros menor do que era em 2014.
Science Express Paper by: Kevin B. Stevenson et al.GOASA
- Spectroscopic phase curve observations of the exoplanet WASP-43b using the Hubble Space Telescope revealed a distinct increase in flux as the dayside rotated into view, peaking prior to secondary eclipse.
- Analysis of the spectrally resolved phase curves showed wavelength-dependent amplitudes, phase shifts, and eclipse depths, allowing inference of the temperature structure and molecular abundances at 15 orbital phases.
- Atmospheric modeling found water to be the dominant absorber influencing the phase-resolved emission spectra. The data showed large day-night temperature variations at all measured altitudes and a monotonically decreasing temperature with pressure.
A new universal formula for atoms, planets, and galaxiesIOSR Journals
In this paper a new universal formula about the rotation velocity distribution of atoms, planets, and galaxies is presented. It is based on a new general formula based on the relativistic Schwarzschild/Minkowski metric, where it has been possible to obtain expressions for the rotation velocity - and mass distribution versus the distance to the atomic nucleus, planet system centre, and galactic centre. A mathematical proof of this new formula is also given. This formula is divided into a Keplerian(general relativity)-and a relativistic(special relativity) part. For the atomic-and planet systems the Keplerian distribution is followed, which is also in accordance with observations.
According to the rotation velocity distribution of the galaxies the rotation velocity increases very rapidly from the centre and reaches a plateau which is constant out to a great distance from the centre. This is in accordance with observations and is also in accordance with the main structure of rotation velocity versus distance from different galaxy measurements.
Computer simulations were also performed to establish and verify the rotation velocity distributions in the atomic – planetary- and galaxy system, according to this paper. These computer simulations are in accordance with observations in two and three dimensions. It was also possible to study the matching percentage in these calculations showing a much higher matching percentage between theoretical and observational values by this new formula.
The Sun’s differential rotation is controlled by high- latitude baroclinicall...Sérgio Sacani
Rapidly rotating fluids have a rotation profile that depends only on the distance from the rotation axis, in accor-dance with the Taylor- Proudman theorem. Although the Sun was expected to be such a body, helioseismology showed that the rotation rate in the convection zone is closer to constant on radii. It has been postulated that this deviation is due to the poles being warmer than the equator by a few degrees. Using numerical simulations, we show that the pole- to-equator temperature difference cannot exceed 7 kelvin as a result of the back- reaction of the high- latitude baroclinically unstable inertial modes. The observed amplitudes of the modes further indicate that this maximum temperature difference is reached in the Sun. We conclude that the Sun’s latitudinal differential rotation reaches its maximum allowed value
Large scale mass_distribution_in_the_illustris_simulationSérgio Sacani
Observations at low redshifts thus far fail to account for all of the baryons expected in the
Universe according to cosmological constraints. A large fraction of the baryons presumably
resides in a thin and warm–hot medium between the galaxies, where they are difficult to observe
due to their low densities and high temperatures. Cosmological simulations of structure
formation can be used to verify this picture and provide quantitative predictions for the distribution
of mass in different large-scale structure components. Here we study the distribution
of baryons and dark matter at different epochs using data from the Illustris simulation. We
identify regions of different dark matter density with the primary constituents of large-scale
structure, allowing us to measure mass and volume of haloes, filaments and voids. At redshift
zero, we find that 49 per cent of the dark matter and 23 per cent of the baryons are within
haloes more massive than the resolution limit of 2 × 108 M⊙. The filaments of the cosmic
web host a further 45 per cent of the dark matter and 46 per cent of the baryons. The remaining
31 per cent of the baryons reside in voids. The majority of these baryons have been transported
there through active galactic nuclei feedback. We note that the feedback model of Illustris
is too strong for heavy haloes, therefore it is likely that we are overestimating this amount.
Categorizing the baryons according to their density and temperature, we find that 17.8 per cent
of them are in a condensed state, 21.6 per cent are present as cold, diffuse gas, and 53.9 per cent
are found in the state of a warm–hot intergalactic medium.
The herschel view_of_massive_star_formation_in_dense_and_cold_filament_w48Sérgio Sacani
The Herschel Space Observatory observed the IRDC filament G035.39–00.33 in the W48 molecular cloud complex. The observations revealed 28 compact dense cores, 13 of which have masses greater than 20 solar masses. These massive dense cores are excellent candidates to form intermediate- to high-mass stars. Most of the massive dense cores are located within the G035.39–00.33 filament and contain infrared-quiet high-mass protostars. The large number of protostars suggests a "mini-burst" of star formation is occurring within the filament, with an efficiency of about 15% and a formation rate of around 40 solar masses per year per square kiloparsec. Some extended Si
This document examines whether galaxy environments and the color-density relation can be robustly measured using photometric redshift (photo-z) surveys. It finds that:
1) Using optimized parameters for density measurements, a correlation between 2D projected density measurements from photo-z surveys and true 3D density can still be revealed, even with photo-z uncertainties up to 0.06.
2) The color-density relation remains visible in photo-z surveys out to z=0.8, despite photo-z uncertainties of 0.02-0.06.
3) A deep (i=25 magnitude) photo-z survey with photo-z uncertainties of 0.02 can measure small-scale galaxy
Discovery of rotational modulations in the planetary mass companion 2m1207b i...Sérgio Sacani
Rotational modulations of brown dwarfs have recently provided powerful constraints on the properties
of ultra-cool atmospheres, including longitudinal and vertical cloud structures and cloud evolution.
Furthermore, periodic light curves directly probe the rotational periods of ultra-cool objects. We
present here, for the first time, time-resolved high-precision photometric measurements of a planetarymass
companion, 2M1207b. We observed the binary system with HST/WFC3 in two bands and with
two spacecraft roll angles. Using point spread function-based photometry, we reach a nearly photonnoise
limited accuracy for both the primary and the secondary. While the primary is consistent with
a flat light curve, the secondary shows modulations that are clearly detected in the combined light
curve as well as in di↵erent subsets of the data. The amplitudes are 1.36% in the F125W and 0.78%
in the F160W filters, respectively. By fitting sine waves to the light curves, we find a consistent period
of 10.7+1.2
−0.6 hours and similar phases in both bands. The J- and H-band amplitude ratio of 2M1207b
is very similar to a field brown dwarf that has identical spectral type but di↵erent J-H color. Importantly,
our study also measures, for the first time, the rotation period for a directly imaged extra-solar
planetary-mass companion.
Further analysis of the References- part 2. Some further analyses about directional recoil, cross sections, galaxy Physics and experiment-optimizations techniques.
VIA Forum Astroparticle Physics Forum COSMOVIA
Author: O.M. Lecian.
Title: LHAASO Further references- part2.
28/03/2020
http://viavca.in2p3.fr/2010c_o_s_m_o_v_i_a__forum_sd24fsdf4zerfzef4ze5f4dsq34sdteerui45788789745rt7yr68t4y54865h45g4hfg56h45df4h86d48h48t7uertujirjtiorjhuiofgrdsqgxcvfghfg5h40yhuyir/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=3705&sid=c56cbf76f87536fc4c3ff216d9edaba2
1) The document discusses modeling gravitational fields within general relativity by mapping geodesic motion in curved spacetime to motion along worldlines in Minkowski spacetime.
2) It presents equations showing the equivalence between motion in a gravitational field described by a metric and motion in flat spacetime under the influence of a force field.
3) As an example, it models the Schwarzschild metric by considering dust moving radially in Minkowski spacetime, recovering the Schwarzschild solution from Einstein's field equations in vacuum.
1) The document discusses testing modifications to general relativity (GR) to explain the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. Two representative modified gravity (MG) models are studied: f(R) theories and the Bean-Tangmatitham parametrization.
2) These MG models modify the gravitational potentials in GR through additional parameters that can generate different gravitational behaviors, including those described by GR.
3) The MG parameters are constrained using CosmoSIS, a cosmological parameter estimation code, with data from the Cosmic Microwave Background and weak lensing surveys. Estimates of the MG parameters suggest no deviation from GR predictions.
Similar to A suppression of differential rotation in Jupiter’s deep interior (20)
The binding of cosmological structures by massless topological defectsSérgio Sacani
Assuming spherical symmetry and weak field, it is shown that if one solves the Poisson equation or the Einstein field
equations sourced by a topological defect, i.e. a singularity of a very specific form, the result is a localized gravitational
field capable of driving flat rotation (i.e. Keplerian circular orbits at a constant speed for all radii) of test masses on a thin
spherical shell without any underlying mass. Moreover, a large-scale structure which exploits this solution by assembling
concentrically a number of such topological defects can establish a flat stellar or galactic rotation curve, and can also deflect
light in the same manner as an equipotential (isothermal) sphere. Thus, the need for dark matter or modified gravity theory is
mitigated, at least in part.
EWOCS-I: The catalog of X-ray sources in Westerlund 1 from the Extended Weste...Sérgio Sacani
Context. With a mass exceeding several 104 M⊙ and a rich and dense population of massive stars, supermassive young star clusters
represent the most massive star-forming environment that is dominated by the feedback from massive stars and gravitational interactions
among stars.
Aims. In this paper we present the Extended Westerlund 1 and 2 Open Clusters Survey (EWOCS) project, which aims to investigate
the influence of the starburst environment on the formation of stars and planets, and on the evolution of both low and high mass stars.
The primary targets of this project are Westerlund 1 and 2, the closest supermassive star clusters to the Sun.
Methods. The project is based primarily on recent observations conducted with the Chandra and JWST observatories. Specifically,
the Chandra survey of Westerlund 1 consists of 36 new ACIS-I observations, nearly co-pointed, for a total exposure time of 1 Msec.
Additionally, we included 8 archival Chandra/ACIS-S observations. This paper presents the resulting catalog of X-ray sources within
and around Westerlund 1. Sources were detected by combining various existing methods, and photon extraction and source validation
were carried out using the ACIS-Extract software.
Results. The EWOCS X-ray catalog comprises 5963 validated sources out of the 9420 initially provided to ACIS-Extract, reaching a
photon flux threshold of approximately 2 × 10−8 photons cm−2
s
−1
. The X-ray sources exhibit a highly concentrated spatial distribution,
with 1075 sources located within the central 1 arcmin. We have successfully detected X-ray emissions from 126 out of the 166 known
massive stars of the cluster, and we have collected over 71 000 photons from the magnetar CXO J164710.20-455217.
The debris of the ‘last major merger’ is dynamically youngSérgio Sacani
The Milky Way’s (MW) inner stellar halo contains an [Fe/H]-rich component with highly eccentric orbits, often referred to as the
‘last major merger.’ Hypotheses for the origin of this component include Gaia-Sausage/Enceladus (GSE), where the progenitor
collided with the MW proto-disc 8–11 Gyr ago, and the Virgo Radial Merger (VRM), where the progenitor collided with the
MW disc within the last 3 Gyr. These two scenarios make different predictions about observable structure in local phase space,
because the morphology of debris depends on how long it has had to phase mix. The recently identified phase-space folds in Gaia
DR3 have positive caustic velocities, making them fundamentally different than the phase-mixed chevrons found in simulations
at late times. Roughly 20 per cent of the stars in the prograde local stellar halo are associated with the observed caustics. Based
on a simple phase-mixing model, the observed number of caustics are consistent with a merger that occurred 1–2 Gyr ago.
We also compare the observed phase-space distribution to FIRE-2 Latte simulations of GSE-like mergers, using a quantitative
measurement of phase mixing (2D causticality). The observed local phase-space distribution best matches the simulated data
1–2 Gyr after collision, and certainly not later than 3 Gyr. This is further evidence that the progenitor of the ‘last major merger’
did not collide with the MW proto-disc at early times, as is thought for the GSE, but instead collided with the MW disc within
the last few Gyr, consistent with the body of work surrounding the VRM.
Observation of Io’s Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground-based Adapt...Sérgio Sacani
Since volcanic activity was first discovered on Io from Voyager images in 1979, changes
on Io’s surface have been monitored from both spacecraft and ground-based telescopes.
Here, we present the highest spatial resolution images of Io ever obtained from a groundbased telescope. These images, acquired by the SHARK-VIS instrument on the Large
Binocular Telescope, show evidence of a major resurfacing event on Io’s trailing hemisphere. When compared to the most recent spacecraft images, the SHARK-VIS images
show that a plume deposit from a powerful eruption at Pillan Patera has covered part
of the long-lived Pele plume deposit. Although this type of resurfacing event may be common on Io, few have been detected due to the rarity of spacecraft visits and the previously low spatial resolution available from Earth-based telescopes. The SHARK-VIS instrument ushers in a new era of high resolution imaging of Io’s surface using adaptive
optics at visible wavelengths.
Earliest Galaxies in the JADES Origins Field: Luminosity Function and Cosmic ...Sérgio Sacani
We characterize the earliest galaxy population in the JADES Origins Field (JOF), the deepest
imaging field observed with JWST. We make use of the ancillary Hubble optical images (5 filters
spanning 0.4−0.9µm) and novel JWST images with 14 filters spanning 0.8−5µm, including 7 mediumband filters, and reaching total exposure times of up to 46 hours per filter. We combine all our data
at > 2.3µm to construct an ultradeep image, reaching as deep as ≈ 31.4 AB mag in the stack and
30.3-31.0 AB mag (5σ, r = 0.1” circular aperture) in individual filters. We measure photometric
redshifts and use robust selection criteria to identify a sample of eight galaxy candidates at redshifts
z = 11.5 − 15. These objects show compact half-light radii of R1/2 ∼ 50 − 200pc, stellar masses of
M⋆ ∼ 107−108M⊙, and star-formation rates of SFR ∼ 0.1−1 M⊙ yr−1
. Our search finds no candidates
at 15 < z < 20, placing upper limits at these redshifts. We develop a forward modeling approach to
infer the properties of the evolving luminosity function without binning in redshift or luminosity that
marginalizes over the photometric redshift uncertainty of our candidate galaxies and incorporates the
impact of non-detections. We find a z = 12 luminosity function in good agreement with prior results,
and that the luminosity function normalization and UV luminosity density decline by a factor of ∼ 2.5
from z = 12 to z = 14. We discuss the possible implications of our results in the context of theoretical
models for evolution of the dark matter halo mass function.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE SAMPLE RETURN.Sérgio Sacani
The return of a sample of near-surface atmosphere from Mars would facilitate answers to several first-order science questions surrounding the formation and evolution of the planet. One of the important aspects of terrestrial planet formation in general is the role that primary atmospheres played in influencing the chemistry and structure of the planets and their antecedents. Studies of the martian atmosphere can be used to investigate the role of a primary atmosphere in its history. Atmosphere samples would also inform our understanding of the near-surface chemistry of the planet, and ultimately the prospects for life. High-precision isotopic analyses of constituent gases are needed to address these questions, requiring that the analyses are made on returned samples rather than in situ.
Multi-source connectivity as the driver of solar wind variability in the heli...Sérgio Sacani
The ambient solar wind that flls the heliosphere originates from multiple
sources in the solar corona and is highly structured. It is often described
as high-speed, relatively homogeneous, plasma streams from coronal
holes and slow-speed, highly variable, streams whose source regions are
under debate. A key goal of ESA/NASA’s Solar Orbiter mission is to identify
solar wind sources and understand what drives the complexity seen in the
heliosphere. By combining magnetic feld modelling and spectroscopic
techniques with high-resolution observations and measurements, we show
that the solar wind variability detected in situ by Solar Orbiter in March
2022 is driven by spatio-temporal changes in the magnetic connectivity to
multiple sources in the solar atmosphere. The magnetic feld footpoints
connected to the spacecraft moved from the boundaries of a coronal hole
to one active region (12961) and then across to another region (12957). This
is refected in the in situ measurements, which show the transition from fast
to highly Alfvénic then to slow solar wind that is disrupted by the arrival of
a coronal mass ejection. Our results describe solar wind variability at 0.5 au
but are applicable to near-Earth observatories.
Gliese 12 b: A Temperate Earth-sized Planet at 12 pc Ideal for Atmospheric Tr...Sérgio Sacani
Recent discoveries of Earth-sized planets transiting nearby M dwarfs have made it possible to characterize the
atmospheres of terrestrial planets via follow-up spectroscopic observations. However, the number of such planets
receiving low insolation is still small, limiting our ability to understand the diversity of the atmospheric
composition and climates of temperate terrestrial planets. We report the discovery of an Earth-sized planet
transiting the nearby (12 pc) inactive M3.0 dwarf Gliese 12 (TOI-6251) with an orbital period (Porb) of 12.76 days.
The planet, Gliese 12 b, was initially identified as a candidate with an ambiguous Porb from TESS data. We
confirmed the transit signal and Porb using ground-based photometry with MuSCAT2 and MuSCAT3, and
validated the planetary nature of the signal using high-resolution images from Gemini/NIRI and Keck/NIRC2 as
well as radial velocity (RV) measurements from the InfraRed Doppler instrument on the Subaru 8.2 m telescope
and from CARMENES on the CAHA 3.5 m telescope. X-ray observations with XMM-Newton showed the host
star is inactive, with an X-ray-to-bolometric luminosity ratio of log 5.7 L L X bol » - . Joint analysis of the light
curves and RV measurements revealed that Gliese 12 b has a radius of 0.96 ± 0.05 R⊕,a3σ mass upper limit of
3.9 M⊕, and an equilibrium temperature of 315 ± 6 K assuming zero albedo. The transmission spectroscopy metric
(TSM) value of Gliese 12 b is close to the TSM values of the TRAPPIST-1 planets, adding Gliese 12 b to the small
list of potentially terrestrial, temperate planets amenable to atmospheric characterization with JWST.
Gliese 12 b, a temperate Earth-sized planet at 12 parsecs discovered with TES...Sérgio Sacani
We report on the discovery of Gliese 12 b, the nearest transiting temperate, Earth-sized planet found to date. Gliese 12 is a
bright (V = 12.6 mag, K = 7.8 mag) metal-poor M4V star only 12.162 ± 0.005 pc away from the Solar system with one of the
lowest stellar activity levels known for M-dwarfs. A planet candidate was detected by TESS based on only 3 transits in sectors
42, 43, and 57, with an ambiguity in the orbital period due to observational gaps. We performed follow-up transit observations
with CHEOPS and ground-based photometry with MINERVA-Australis, SPECULOOS, and Purple Mountain Observatory,
as well as further TESS observations in sector 70. We statistically validate Gliese 12 b as a planet with an orbital period of
12.76144 ± 0.00006 d and a radius of 1.0 ± 0.1 R⊕, resulting in an equilibrium temperature of ∼315 K. Gliese 12 b has excellent
future prospects for precise mass measurement, which may inform how planetary internal structure is affected by the stellar
compositional environment. Gliese 12 b also represents one of the best targets to study whether Earth-like planets orbiting cool
stars can retain their atmospheres, a crucial step to advance our understanding of habitability on Earth and across the galaxy.
The importance of continents, oceans and plate tectonics for the evolution of...Sérgio Sacani
Within the uncertainties of involved astronomical and biological parameters, the Drake Equation
typically predicts that there should be many exoplanets in our galaxy hosting active, communicative
civilizations (ACCs). These optimistic calculations are however not supported by evidence, which is
often referred to as the Fermi Paradox. Here, we elaborate on this long-standing enigma by showing
the importance of planetary tectonic style for biological evolution. We summarize growing evidence
that a prolonged transition from Mesoproterozoic active single lid tectonics (1.6 to 1.0 Ga) to modern
plate tectonics occurred in the Neoproterozoic Era (1.0 to 0.541 Ga), which dramatically accelerated
emergence and evolution of complex species. We further suggest that both continents and oceans
are required for ACCs because early evolution of simple life must happen in water but late evolution
of advanced life capable of creating technology must happen on land. We resolve the Fermi Paradox
(1) by adding two additional terms to the Drake Equation: foc
(the fraction of habitable exoplanets
with significant continents and oceans) and fpt
(the fraction of habitable exoplanets with significant
continents and oceans that have had plate tectonics operating for at least 0.5 Ga); and (2) by
demonstrating that the product of foc
and fpt
is very small (< 0.00003–0.002). We propose that the lack
of evidence for ACCs reflects the scarcity of long-lived plate tectonics and/or continents and oceans on
exoplanets with primitive life.
A Giant Impact Origin for the First Subduction on EarthSérgio Sacani
Hadean zircons provide a potential record of Earth's earliest subduction 4.3 billion years ago. Itremains enigmatic how subduction could be initiated so soon after the presumably Moon‐forming giant impact(MGI). Earlier studies found an increase in Earth's core‐mantle boundary (CMB) temperature due to theaccumulation of the impactor's core, and our recent work shows Earth's lower mantle remains largely solid, withsome of the impactor's mantle potentially surviving as the large low‐shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs). Here,we show that a hot post‐impact CMB drives the initiation of strong mantle plumes that can induce subductioninitiation ∼200 Myr after the MGI. 2D and 3D thermomechanical computations show that a high CMBtemperature is the primary factor triggering early subduction, with enrichment of heat‐producing elements inLLSVPs as another potential factor. The models link the earliest subduction to the MGI with implications forunderstanding the diverse tectonic regimes of rocky planets.
Climate extremes likely to drive land mammal extinction during next supercont...Sérgio Sacani
Mammals have dominated Earth for approximately 55 Myr thanks to their
adaptations and resilience to warming and cooling during the Cenozoic. All
life will eventually perish in a runaway greenhouse once absorbed solar
radiation exceeds the emission of thermal radiation in several billions of
years. However, conditions rendering the Earth naturally inhospitable to
mammals may develop sooner because of long-term processes linked to
plate tectonics (short-term perturbations are not considered here). In
~250 Myr, all continents will converge to form Earth’s next supercontinent,
Pangea Ultima. A natural consequence of the creation and decay of Pangea
Ultima will be extremes in pCO2 due to changes in volcanic rifting and
outgassing. Here we show that increased pCO2, solar energy (F⨀;
approximately +2.5% W m−2 greater than today) and continentality (larger
range in temperatures away from the ocean) lead to increasing warming
hostile to mammalian life. We assess their impact on mammalian
physiological limits (dry bulb, wet bulb and Humidex heat stress indicators)
as well as a planetary habitability index. Given mammals’ continued survival,
predicted background pCO2 levels of 410–816 ppm combined with increased
F⨀ will probably lead to a climate tipping point and their mass extinction.
The results also highlight how global landmass configuration, pCO2 and F⨀
play a critical role in planetary habitability.
Constraints on Neutrino Natal Kicks from Black-Hole Binary VFTS 243Sérgio Sacani
The recently reported observation of VFTS 243 is the first example of a massive black-hole binary
system with negligible binary interaction following black-hole formation. The black-hole mass (≈10M⊙)
and near-circular orbit (e ≈ 0.02) of VFTS 243 suggest that the progenitor star experienced complete
collapse, with energy-momentum being lost predominantly through neutrinos. VFTS 243 enables us to
constrain the natal kick and neutrino-emission asymmetry during black-hole formation. At 68% confidence
level, the natal kick velocity (mass decrement) is ≲10 km=s (≲1.0M⊙), with a full probability distribution
that peaks when ≈0.3M⊙ were ejected, presumably in neutrinos, and the black hole experienced a natal
kick of 4 km=s. The neutrino-emission asymmetry is ≲4%, with best fit values of ∼0–0.2%. Such a small
neutrino natal kick accompanying black-hole formation is in agreement with theoretical predictions.
Detectability of Solar Panels as a TechnosignatureSérgio Sacani
In this work, we assess the potential detectability of solar panels made of silicon on an Earth-like
exoplanet as a potential technosignature. Silicon-based photovoltaic cells have high reflectance in the
UV-VIS and in the near-IR, within the wavelength range of a space-based flagship mission concept
like the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). Assuming that only solar energy is used to provide
the 2022 human energy needs with a land cover of ∼ 2.4%, and projecting the future energy demand
assuming various growth-rate scenarios, we assess the detectability with an 8 m HWO-like telescope.
Assuming the most favorable viewing orientation, and focusing on the strong absorption edge in the
ultraviolet-to-visible (0.34 − 0.52 µm), we find that several 100s of hours of observation time is needed
to reach a SNR of 5 for an Earth-like planet around a Sun-like star at 10pc, even with a solar panel
coverage of ∼ 23% land coverage of a future Earth. We discuss the necessity of concepts like Kardeshev
Type I/II civilizations and Dyson spheres, which would aim to harness vast amounts of energy. Even
with much larger populations than today, the total energy use of human civilization would be orders of
magnitude below the threshold for causing direct thermal heating or reaching the scale of a Kardashev
Type I civilization. Any extraterrrestrial civilization that likewise achieves sustainable population
levels may also find a limit on its need to expand, which suggests that a galaxy-spanning civilization
as imagined in the Fermi paradox may not exist.
Jet reorientation in central galaxies of clusters and groups: insights from V...Sérgio Sacani
Recent observations of galaxy clusters and groups with misalignments between their central AGN jets
and X-ray cavities, or with multiple misaligned cavities, have raised concerns about the jet – bubble
connection in cooling cores, and the processes responsible for jet realignment. To investigate the
frequency and causes of such misalignments, we construct a sample of 16 cool core galaxy clusters and
groups. Using VLBA radio data we measure the parsec-scale position angle of the jets, and compare
it with the position angle of the X-ray cavities detected in Chandra data. Using the overall sample
and selected subsets, we consistently find that there is a 30% – 38% chance to find a misalignment
larger than ∆Ψ = 45◦ when observing a cluster/group with a detected jet and at least one cavity. We
determine that projection may account for an apparently large ∆Ψ only in a fraction of objects (∼35%),
and given that gas dynamical disturbances (as sloshing) are found in both aligned and misaligned
systems, we exclude environmental perturbation as the main driver of cavity – jet misalignment.
Moreover, we find that large misalignments (up to ∼ 90◦
) are favored over smaller ones (45◦ ≤ ∆Ψ ≤
70◦
), and that the change in jet direction can occur on timescales between one and a few tens of Myr.
We conclude that misalignments are more likely related to actual reorientation of the jet axis, and we
discuss several engine-based mechanisms that may cause these dramatic changes.
The solar dynamo begins near the surfaceSérgio Sacani
The magnetic dynamo cycle of the Sun features a distinct pattern: a propagating
region of sunspot emergence appears around 30° latitude and vanishes near the
equator every 11 years (ref. 1). Moreover, longitudinal flows called torsional oscillations
closely shadow sunspot migration, undoubtedly sharing a common cause2. Contrary
to theories suggesting deep origins of these phenomena, helioseismology pinpoints
low-latitude torsional oscillations to the outer 5–10% of the Sun, the near-surface
shear layer3,4. Within this zone, inwardly increasing differential rotation coupled with
a poloidal magnetic field strongly implicates the magneto-rotational instability5,6,
prominent in accretion-disk theory and observed in laboratory experiments7.
Together, these two facts prompt the general question: whether the solar dynamo is
possibly a near-surface instability. Here we report strong affirmative evidence in stark
contrast to traditional models8 focusing on the deeper tachocline. Simple analytic
estimates show that the near-surface magneto-rotational instability better explains
the spatiotemporal scales of the torsional oscillations and inferred subsurface
magnetic field amplitudes9. State-of-the-art numerical simulations corroborate these
estimates and reproduce hemispherical magnetic current helicity laws10. The dynamo
resulting from a well-understood near-surface phenomenon improves prospects
for accurate predictions of full magnetic cycles and space weather, affecting the
electromagnetic infrastructure of Earth.
Extensive Pollution of Uranus and Neptune’s Atmospheres by Upsweep of Icy Mat...Sérgio Sacani
In the Nice model of solar system formation, Uranus and Neptune undergo an orbital upheaval,
sweeping through a planetesimal disk. The region of the disk from which material is accreted by
the ice giants during this phase of their evolution has not previously been identified. We perform
direct N-body orbital simulations of the four giant planets to determine the amount and origin of solid
accretion during this orbital upheaval. We find that the ice giants undergo an extreme bombardment
event, with collision rates as much as ∼3 per hour assuming km-sized planetesimals, increasing the
total planet mass by up to ∼0.35%. In all cases, the initially outermost ice giant experiences the
largest total enhancement. We determine that for some plausible planetesimal properties, the resulting
atmospheric enrichment could potentially produce sufficient latent heat to alter the planetary cooling
timescale according to existing models. Our findings suggest that substantial accretion during this
phase of planetary evolution may have been sufficient to impact the atmospheric composition and
thermal evolution of the ice giants, motivating future work on the fate of deposited solid material.
Exomoons & Exorings with the Habitable Worlds Observatory I: On the Detection...Sérgio Sacani
The highest priority recommendation of the Astro2020 Decadal Survey for space-based astronomy
was the construction of an observatory capable of characterizing habitable worlds. In this paper series
we explore the detectability of and interference from exomoons and exorings serendipitously observed
with the proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) as it seeks to characterize exoplanets, starting
in this manuscript with Earth-Moon analog mutual events. Unlike transits, which only occur in systems
viewed near edge-on, shadow (i.e., solar eclipse) and lunar eclipse mutual events occur in almost every
star-planet-moon system. The cadence of these events can vary widely from ∼yearly to multiple events
per day, as was the case in our younger Earth-Moon system. Leveraging previous space-based (EPOXI)
lightcurves of a Moon transit and performance predictions from the LUVOIR-B concept, we derive
the detectability of Moon analogs with HWO. We determine that Earth-Moon analogs are detectable
with observation of ∼2-20 mutual events for systems within 10 pc, and larger moons should remain
detectable out to 20 pc. We explore the extent to which exomoon mutual events can mimic planet
features and weather. We find that HWO wavelength coverage in the near-IR, specifically in the 1.4 µm
water band where large moons can outshine their host planet, will aid in differentiating exomoon signals
from exoplanet variability. Finally, we predict that exomoons formed through collision processes akin
to our Moon are more likely to be detected in younger systems, where shorter orbital periods and
favorable geometry enhance the probability and frequency of mutual events.
Emergent ribozyme behaviors in oxychlorine brines indicate a unique niche for...Sérgio Sacani
Mars is a particularly attractive candidate among known astronomical objects
to potentially host life. Results from space exploration missions have provided
insights into Martian geochemistry that indicate oxychlorine species, particularly perchlorate, are ubiquitous features of the Martian geochemical landscape. Perchlorate presents potential obstacles for known forms of life due to
its toxicity. However, it can also provide potential benefits, such as producing
brines by deliquescence, like those thought to exist on present-day Mars. Here
we show perchlorate brines support folding and catalysis of functional RNAs,
while inactivating representative protein enzymes. Additionally, we show
perchlorate and other oxychlorine species enable ribozyme functions,
including homeostasis-like regulatory behavior and ribozyme-catalyzed
chlorination of organic molecules. We suggest nucleic acids are uniquely wellsuited to hypersaline Martian environments. Furthermore, Martian near- or
subsurface oxychlorine brines, and brines found in potential lifeforms, could
provide a unique niche for biomolecular evolution.
Continuum emission from within the plunging region of black hole discsSérgio Sacani
The thermal continuum emission observed from accreting black holes across X-ray bands has the potential to be leveraged as a
powerful probe of the mass and spin of the central black hole. The vast majority of existing ‘continuum fitting’ models neglect
emission sourced at and within the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) of the black hole. Numerical simulations, however,
find non-zero emission sourced from these regions. In this work, we extend existing techniques by including the emission
sourced from within the plunging region, utilizing new analytical models that reproduce the properties of numerical accretion
simulations. We show that in general the neglected intra-ISCO emission produces a hot-and-small quasi-blackbody component,
but can also produce a weak power-law tail for more extreme parameter regions. A similar hot-and-small blackbody component
has been added in by hand in an ad hoc manner to previous analyses of X-ray binary spectra. We show that the X-ray spectrum
of MAXI J1820+070 in a soft-state outburst is extremely well described by a full Kerr black hole disc, while conventional
models that neglect intra-ISCO emission are unable to reproduce the data. We believe this represents the first robust detection of
intra-ISCO emission in the literature, and allows additional constraints to be placed on the MAXI J1820 + 070 black hole spin
which must be low a• < 0.5 to allow a detectable intra-ISCO region. Emission from within the ISCO is the dominant emission
component in the MAXI J1820 + 070 spectrum between 6 and 10 keV, highlighting the necessity of including this region. Our
continuum fitting model is made publicly available.
Immersive Learning That Works: Research Grounding and Paths ForwardLeonel Morgado
We will metaverse into the essence of immersive learning, into its three dimensions and conceptual models. This approach encompasses elements from teaching methodologies to social involvement, through organizational concerns and technologies. Challenging the perception of learning as knowledge transfer, we introduce a 'Uses, Practices & Strategies' model operationalized by the 'Immersive Learning Brain' and ‘Immersion Cube’ frameworks. This approach offers a comprehensive guide through the intricacies of immersive educational experiences and spotlighting research frontiers, along the immersion dimensions of system, narrative, and agency. Our discourse extends to stakeholders beyond the academic sphere, addressing the interests of technologists, instructional designers, and policymakers. We span various contexts, from formal education to organizational transformation to the new horizon of an AI-pervasive society. This keynote aims to unite the iLRN community in a collaborative journey towards a future where immersive learning research and practice coalesce, paving the way for innovative educational research and practice landscapes.
Unlocking the mysteries of reproduction: Exploring fecundity and gonadosomati...AbdullaAlAsif1
The pygmy halfbeak Dermogenys colletei, is known for its viviparous nature, this presents an intriguing case of relatively low fecundity, raising questions about potential compensatory reproductive strategies employed by this species. Our study delves into the examination of fecundity and the Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) in the Pygmy Halfbeak, D. colletei (Meisner, 2001), an intriguing viviparous fish indigenous to Sarawak, Borneo. We hypothesize that the Pygmy halfbeak, D. colletei, may exhibit unique reproductive adaptations to offset its low fecundity, thus enhancing its survival and fitness. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive study utilizing 28 mature female specimens of D. colletei, carefully measuring fecundity and GSI to shed light on the reproductive adaptations of this species. Our findings reveal that D. colletei indeed exhibits low fecundity, with a mean of 16.76 ± 2.01, and a mean GSI of 12.83 ± 1.27, providing crucial insights into the reproductive mechanisms at play in this species. These results underscore the existence of unique reproductive strategies in D. colletei, enabling its adaptation and persistence in Borneo's diverse aquatic ecosystems, and call for further ecological research to elucidate these mechanisms. This study lends to a better understanding of viviparous fish in Borneo and contributes to the broader field of aquatic ecology, enhancing our knowledge of species adaptations to unique ecological challenges.
Describing and Interpreting an Immersive Learning Case with the Immersion Cub...Leonel Morgado
Current descriptions of immersive learning cases are often difficult or impossible to compare. This is due to a myriad of different options on what details to include, which aspects are relevant, and on the descriptive approaches employed. Also, these aspects often combine very specific details with more general guidelines or indicate intents and rationales without clarifying their implementation. In this paper we provide a method to describe immersive learning cases that is structured to enable comparisons, yet flexible enough to allow researchers and practitioners to decide which aspects to include. This method leverages a taxonomy that classifies educational aspects at three levels (uses, practices, and strategies) and then utilizes two frameworks, the Immersive Learning Brain and the Immersion Cube, to enable a structured description and interpretation of immersive learning cases. The method is then demonstrated on a published immersive learning case on training for wind turbine maintenance using virtual reality. Applying the method results in a structured artifact, the Immersive Learning Case Sheet, that tags the case with its proximal uses, practices, and strategies, and refines the free text case description to ensure that matching details are included. This contribution is thus a case description method in support of future comparative research of immersive learning cases. We then discuss how the resulting description and interpretation can be leveraged to change immersion learning cases, by enriching them (considering low-effort changes or additions) or innovating (exploring more challenging avenues of transformation). The method holds significant promise to support better-grounded research in immersive learning.
When I was asked to give a companion lecture in support of ‘The Philosophy of Science’ (https://shorturl.at/4pUXz) I decided not to walk through the detail of the many methodologies in order of use. Instead, I chose to employ a long standing, and ongoing, scientific development as an exemplar. And so, I chose the ever evolving story of Thermodynamics as a scientific investigation at its best.
Conducted over a period of >200 years, Thermodynamics R&D, and application, benefitted from the highest levels of professionalism, collaboration, and technical thoroughness. New layers of application, methodology, and practice were made possible by the progressive advance of technology. In turn, this has seen measurement and modelling accuracy continually improved at a micro and macro level.
Perhaps most importantly, Thermodynamics rapidly became a primary tool in the advance of applied science/engineering/technology, spanning micro-tech, to aerospace and cosmology. I can think of no better a story to illustrate the breadth of scientific methodologies and applications at their best.
hematic appreciation test is a psychological assessment tool used to measure an individual's appreciation and understanding of specific themes or topics. This test helps to evaluate an individual's ability to connect different ideas and concepts within a given theme, as well as their overall comprehension and interpretation skills. The results of the test can provide valuable insights into an individual's cognitive abilities, creativity, and critical thinking skills
Authoring a personal GPT for your research and practice: How we created the Q...Leonel Morgado
Thematic analysis in qualitative research is a time-consuming and systematic task, typically done using teams. Team members must ground their activities on common understandings of the major concepts underlying the thematic analysis, and define criteria for its development. However, conceptual misunderstandings, equivocations, and lack of adherence to criteria are challenges to the quality and speed of this process. Given the distributed and uncertain nature of this process, we wondered if the tasks in thematic analysis could be supported by readily available artificial intelligence chatbots. Our early efforts point to potential benefits: not just saving time in the coding process but better adherence to criteria and grounding, by increasing triangulation between humans and artificial intelligence. This tutorial will provide a description and demonstration of the process we followed, as two academic researchers, to develop a custom ChatGPT to assist with qualitative coding in the thematic data analysis process of immersive learning accounts in a survey of the academic literature: QUAL-E Immersive Learning Thematic Analysis Helper. In the hands-on time, participants will try out QUAL-E and develop their ideas for their own qualitative coding ChatGPT. Participants that have the paid ChatGPT Plus subscription can create a draft of their assistants. The organizers will provide course materials and slide deck that participants will be able to utilize to continue development of their custom GPT. The paid subscription to ChatGPT Plus is not required to participate in this workshop, just for trying out personal GPTs during it.
Current Ms word generated power point presentation covers major details about the micronuclei test. It's significance and assays to conduct it. It is used to detect the micronuclei formation inside the cells of nearly every multicellular organism. It's formation takes place during chromosomal sepration at metaphase.
Remote Sensing and Computational, Evolutionary, Supercomputing, and Intellige...University of Maribor
Slides from talk:
Aleš Zamuda: Remote Sensing and Computational, Evolutionary, Supercomputing, and Intelligent Systems.
11th International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering (IcETRAN), Niš, 3-6 June 2024
Inter-Society Networking Panel GRSS/MTT-S/CIS Panel Session: Promoting Connection and Cooperation
https://www.etran.rs/2024/en/home-english/
The technology uses reclaimed CO₂ as the dyeing medium in a closed loop process. When pressurized, CO₂ becomes supercritical (SC-CO₂). In this state CO₂ has a very high solvent power, allowing the dye to dissolve easily.
The use of Nauplii and metanauplii artemia in aquaculture (brine shrimp).pptxMAGOTI ERNEST
Although Artemia has been known to man for centuries, its use as a food for the culture of larval organisms apparently began only in the 1930s, when several investigators found that it made an excellent food for newly hatched fish larvae (Litvinenko et al., 2023). As aquaculture developed in the 1960s and ‘70s, the use of Artemia also became more widespread, due both to its convenience and to its nutritional value for larval organisms (Arenas-Pardo et al., 2024). The fact that Artemia dormant cysts can be stored for long periods in cans, and then used as an off-the-shelf food requiring only 24 h of incubation makes them the most convenient, least labor-intensive, live food available for aquaculture (Sorgeloos & Roubach, 2021). The nutritional value of Artemia, especially for marine organisms, is not constant, but varies both geographically and temporally. During the last decade, however, both the causes of Artemia nutritional variability and methods to improve poorquality Artemia have been identified (Loufi et al., 2024).
Brine shrimp (Artemia spp.) are used in marine aquaculture worldwide. Annually, more than 2,000 metric tons of dry cysts are used for cultivation of fish, crustacean, and shellfish larva. Brine shrimp are important to aquaculture because newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii (larvae) provide a food source for many fish fry (Mozanzadeh et al., 2021). Culture and harvesting of brine shrimp eggs represents another aspect of the aquaculture industry. Nauplii and metanauplii of Artemia, commonly known as brine shrimp, play a crucial role in aquaculture due to their nutritional value and suitability as live feed for many aquatic species, particularly in larval stages (Sorgeloos & Roubach, 2021).
Or: Beyond linear.
Abstract: Equivariant neural networks are neural networks that incorporate symmetries. The nonlinear activation functions in these networks result in interesting nonlinear equivariant maps between simple representations, and motivate the key player of this talk: piecewise linear representation theory.
Disclaimer: No one is perfect, so please mind that there might be mistakes and typos.
dtubbenhauer@gmail.com
Corrected slides: dtubbenhauer.com/talks.html