Talk presented at Challenges and Innovations in Computational Astrophysics - III (ChaICA-III; Virtual), 21 June 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14820438
Non-equilibrium Photoionization and Hydrodynamic Simulations of Starburst-dri...Ashkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at 4th Workshop on Numerical Modeling in MHD and Plasma Physics (MHD-PP; Virtual), 13 October 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16820926
Active Galactic Nuclei: Laboratory for Gravitational PhysicsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk at the 29th Midwest Relativity Meeting, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA, October 4, 2019, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13699240
Tendex and Vortex Lines around Spinning Supermassive Black HolesAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at the 30th Midwest Relativity Meeting (Virtual), University of Notre Dame, IN, USA, October 23, 2020, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13699531
Hydrodynamic Simulations and Time-dependent Photoionization Modeling of Starb...Ashkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at IAU Symposium 362 (IAUS362): Predictive Power of Computational Astrophysics as a Discovery Tool (Online Video-Conference), November 8, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17125607
Non-equilibrium Photoionization and Hydrodynamic Simulations of Starburst-dri...Ashkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at 4th Workshop on Numerical Modeling in MHD and Plasma Physics (MHD-PP; Virtual), 13 October 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16820926
Active Galactic Nuclei: Laboratory for Gravitational PhysicsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk at the 29th Midwest Relativity Meeting, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA, October 4, 2019, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13699240
Tendex and Vortex Lines around Spinning Supermassive Black HolesAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at the 30th Midwest Relativity Meeting (Virtual), University of Notre Dame, IN, USA, October 23, 2020, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13699531
Hydrodynamic Simulations and Time-dependent Photoionization Modeling of Starb...Ashkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at IAU Symposium 362 (IAUS362): Predictive Power of Computational Astrophysics as a Discovery Tool (Online Video-Conference), November 8, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17125607
Bayesian X-ray Spectral Analysis of the Symbiotic Star RT CruAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at Chandra Data Science: Novel Methods in Computing and Statistics for X-ray Astronomy, Virtual Meeting, Chandra X-ray Center, USA, August 18, 2021
Morphologies of Wolf-Rayet Planetary Nebulae based on IFU ObservationsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at Asymmetrical Post-Main-Sequence Nebulae 8 (APN8): the Shaping of Stellar Outflows (Virtual), October 8, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16850317
Chemical Compositions of [WR] Planetary Nebulae based on IFU ObservationsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at Evolved Stars and their Circumstellar Environments (Online Workshop), SOFIA Science Center, December 15, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17700830
Hard X-ray Emitting Symbiotics: Candidates for Type Ia Supernova ProgenitorsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at American Physical Society (APS) April Meeting, Session Z09: Stars, White Dwarfs, & Thermonuclear Supernovae, Abstract id.Z09.006, Virtual Meeting, USA, April 20, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14669499
Insights to the Morphology of Planetary Nebulae from 3D SpectroscopyAshkbiz Danehkar
This document discusses insights into the morphology of planetary nebulae from 3D spectroscopy. It summarizes that planetary nebulae are expanding shells of material ejected from aging stars. Integral field spectroscopy is used to create spatially-resolved intensity, velocity, and chemical maps of planetary nebulae, revealing structures like toroidal shells and bipolar outflows. Examinations of nebulae like Th 2-A, M 2-42, and M 3-30 show complex non-spherical structures rather than simple round shells. Orientations of nebulae are also studied to understand formation mechanisms related to binary interactions or stellar magnetic fields.
Ultra-fast Outflows from Active Galactic Nuclei of Seyfert I GalaxiesAshkbiz Danehkar
High Energy Phenomena Seminar, Harvard CfA, Cambridge, USA, September 7, 2016, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13699048 https://youtu.be/7q_wv61ou1E
The document summarizes the history and current state of the post-Newtonian (PN) approximation for modeling compact binary systems and gravitational waves. It discusses how PN theory has achieved an "unreasonable accuracy" in describing binary pulsars and is now being used to construct initial data and compare waveforms for numerical relativity simulations.
This student conducted an experiment to estimate the mass of Jupiter by measuring the orbital characteristics of its four Galilean moons over several nights of observation. Photographs were taken of Jupiter and the moons and their orbital radii and periods were calculated from the pixel measurements. These values were used in an equation relating the orbital motion to Jupiter's mass. The estimated masses were all lower than the known value, suggesting a systemic error in the pixel measurements, likely due to difficulties focusing the telescope.
The document discusses analyzing data from the early Belle II experiment to search for four-quark particles. It summarizes the research project which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of studying the decay of the Υ(6S) meson into a Zb particle and pion. The analysis involves simulating signal and background events, reconstructing particles in the detector, optimizing data selection cuts to enhance the signal over background, and determining the expected efficiency. Preliminary results show the mass resolution and efficiency can be estimated for both exclusive and inclusive decay modes.
Quality of ground data for assessment and benchmarkingIrSOLaV Pomares
This document discusses the importance of assessing the quality of ground-based solar radiation data used for model development, benchmarking, and assessment. It outlines several existing quality control procedures from organizations like BSRN, ARM, and NREL that check for physically realistic values and consistency between radiation components. Common errors found in some databases are also described, such as errors in the recorded time reference affecting clearness index calculations and erroneous beam radiation near sunrise/sunset. The document raises questions about whether Task 36 should propose a general quality control procedure and which criteria should be included in a solar radiation data guide.
- The document discusses going beyond the standard model of cosmology which assumes a flat Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) universe with a power-law primordial spectrum.
- It suggests that the universe could be more complicated and that extensions to the standard model need to be properly investigated using advanced statistical methods and high quality observational data.
- Examples of possible extensions discussed include allowing the primordial power spectrum to take on different forms beyond a simple power law, or exploring the possibility that dark energy is not a cosmological constant.
1. The document summarizes a new symmetric solution to the dynamical Casimir effect involving a moving mirror that produces massless scalar particles.
2. The model involves a 1+1 dimensional scalar field that is minimally coupled to a moving mirror with specific acceleration and asymptotic behavior properties.
3. The solution provides the simplest example of Casimir light production and indicates the mirror will reach an eternal redshift and temperature, representing a remnant state.
This document summarizes Hayato Shimabukuro's presentation on analyzing the 21cm signal from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The key points are:
1. Shimabukuro uses ANNs to estimate EoR parameters like the ionizing efficiency and minimum halo mass for star formation directly from 21cm power spectra, without relying on computationally expensive cosmological simulations.
2. Initial tests recovering parameters from noise-free 21cm data showed good agreement, except for the mean free path of ionizing photons. Adding realistic noise levels decreased the accuracy.
3. Future work includes using ANNs to reconstruct the distribution of HII bubble sizes during
This document discusses the possibility of new physics explanations for a 6.8 sigma anomaly observed in decays of beryllium-8. It summarizes the anomaly, which involves an excess of electron-positron pairs from beryllium-8 decays with an invariant mass of 17 MeV and an opening angle between the pairs that does not match expectations from known physics. It then explores possible explanations involving new light mediators that could couple the standard model to a dark sector, such as a new U(1) gauge boson, and discusses various proposed searches that could explore such light mediators across multiple experiments and energy scales.
This problem represents an interesting opportunity for scientists and statisticians to collaborate since the problem is too big for either community. The science is not well established, although fairly sophisticated ice flow models exist. They are even becoming relevant to explain some of the complexity seen in observational data. At the same time, the complex phenomena we see in observations may not be particularly relevant to assessing the risks of significant increases in sea level rise over the near future. The talk will review what we have learned about this problem through the PISCEES SciDAC project. This problem is rich with challenges and opportunities, particularly for realigning how our two communities engage each other. The talk will review the computational, scientific, and mathematical "reality checks" that might stop any reasonable person from considering this topic further. I then will point out how each of these challenges could be mitigated if these different perspectives were better integrated.
Conditions for Cool Superwinds in Massive Star-forming RegionsAshkbiz Danehkar
e-Talk presented at IAU Symposium 373 (IAUS373): Resolving the Rise and Fall of Star Formation in Galaxies, Busan, Korea, August 2022
Danehkar, Ashkbiz (2024). Conditions for Cool Superwinds in Massive Star-forming Regions. figshare. Presentation. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25029482
Bayesian X-ray Spectral Analysis of the Symbiotic Star RT CruAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at Chandra Data Science: Novel Methods in Computing and Statistics for X-ray Astronomy, Virtual Meeting, Chandra X-ray Center, USA, August 18, 2021
Morphologies of Wolf-Rayet Planetary Nebulae based on IFU ObservationsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at Asymmetrical Post-Main-Sequence Nebulae 8 (APN8): the Shaping of Stellar Outflows (Virtual), October 8, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.16850317
Chemical Compositions of [WR] Planetary Nebulae based on IFU ObservationsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at Evolved Stars and their Circumstellar Environments (Online Workshop), SOFIA Science Center, December 15, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17700830
Hard X-ray Emitting Symbiotics: Candidates for Type Ia Supernova ProgenitorsAshkbiz Danehkar
Talk presented at American Physical Society (APS) April Meeting, Session Z09: Stars, White Dwarfs, & Thermonuclear Supernovae, Abstract id.Z09.006, Virtual Meeting, USA, April 20, 2021, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14669499
Insights to the Morphology of Planetary Nebulae from 3D SpectroscopyAshkbiz Danehkar
This document discusses insights into the morphology of planetary nebulae from 3D spectroscopy. It summarizes that planetary nebulae are expanding shells of material ejected from aging stars. Integral field spectroscopy is used to create spatially-resolved intensity, velocity, and chemical maps of planetary nebulae, revealing structures like toroidal shells and bipolar outflows. Examinations of nebulae like Th 2-A, M 2-42, and M 3-30 show complex non-spherical structures rather than simple round shells. Orientations of nebulae are also studied to understand formation mechanisms related to binary interactions or stellar magnetic fields.
Ultra-fast Outflows from Active Galactic Nuclei of Seyfert I GalaxiesAshkbiz Danehkar
High Energy Phenomena Seminar, Harvard CfA, Cambridge, USA, September 7, 2016, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13699048 https://youtu.be/7q_wv61ou1E
The document summarizes the history and current state of the post-Newtonian (PN) approximation for modeling compact binary systems and gravitational waves. It discusses how PN theory has achieved an "unreasonable accuracy" in describing binary pulsars and is now being used to construct initial data and compare waveforms for numerical relativity simulations.
This student conducted an experiment to estimate the mass of Jupiter by measuring the orbital characteristics of its four Galilean moons over several nights of observation. Photographs were taken of Jupiter and the moons and their orbital radii and periods were calculated from the pixel measurements. These values were used in an equation relating the orbital motion to Jupiter's mass. The estimated masses were all lower than the known value, suggesting a systemic error in the pixel measurements, likely due to difficulties focusing the telescope.
The document discusses analyzing data from the early Belle II experiment to search for four-quark particles. It summarizes the research project which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of studying the decay of the Υ(6S) meson into a Zb particle and pion. The analysis involves simulating signal and background events, reconstructing particles in the detector, optimizing data selection cuts to enhance the signal over background, and determining the expected efficiency. Preliminary results show the mass resolution and efficiency can be estimated for both exclusive and inclusive decay modes.
Quality of ground data for assessment and benchmarkingIrSOLaV Pomares
This document discusses the importance of assessing the quality of ground-based solar radiation data used for model development, benchmarking, and assessment. It outlines several existing quality control procedures from organizations like BSRN, ARM, and NREL that check for physically realistic values and consistency between radiation components. Common errors found in some databases are also described, such as errors in the recorded time reference affecting clearness index calculations and erroneous beam radiation near sunrise/sunset. The document raises questions about whether Task 36 should propose a general quality control procedure and which criteria should be included in a solar radiation data guide.
- The document discusses going beyond the standard model of cosmology which assumes a flat Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) universe with a power-law primordial spectrum.
- It suggests that the universe could be more complicated and that extensions to the standard model need to be properly investigated using advanced statistical methods and high quality observational data.
- Examples of possible extensions discussed include allowing the primordial power spectrum to take on different forms beyond a simple power law, or exploring the possibility that dark energy is not a cosmological constant.
1. The document summarizes a new symmetric solution to the dynamical Casimir effect involving a moving mirror that produces massless scalar particles.
2. The model involves a 1+1 dimensional scalar field that is minimally coupled to a moving mirror with specific acceleration and asymptotic behavior properties.
3. The solution provides the simplest example of Casimir light production and indicates the mirror will reach an eternal redshift and temperature, representing a remnant state.
This document summarizes Hayato Shimabukuro's presentation on analyzing the 21cm signal from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The key points are:
1. Shimabukuro uses ANNs to estimate EoR parameters like the ionizing efficiency and minimum halo mass for star formation directly from 21cm power spectra, without relying on computationally expensive cosmological simulations.
2. Initial tests recovering parameters from noise-free 21cm data showed good agreement, except for the mean free path of ionizing photons. Adding realistic noise levels decreased the accuracy.
3. Future work includes using ANNs to reconstruct the distribution of HII bubble sizes during
This document discusses the possibility of new physics explanations for a 6.8 sigma anomaly observed in decays of beryllium-8. It summarizes the anomaly, which involves an excess of electron-positron pairs from beryllium-8 decays with an invariant mass of 17 MeV and an opening angle between the pairs that does not match expectations from known physics. It then explores possible explanations involving new light mediators that could couple the standard model to a dark sector, such as a new U(1) gauge boson, and discusses various proposed searches that could explore such light mediators across multiple experiments and energy scales.
This problem represents an interesting opportunity for scientists and statisticians to collaborate since the problem is too big for either community. The science is not well established, although fairly sophisticated ice flow models exist. They are even becoming relevant to explain some of the complexity seen in observational data. At the same time, the complex phenomena we see in observations may not be particularly relevant to assessing the risks of significant increases in sea level rise over the near future. The talk will review what we have learned about this problem through the PISCEES SciDAC project. This problem is rich with challenges and opportunities, particularly for realigning how our two communities engage each other. The talk will review the computational, scientific, and mathematical "reality checks" that might stop any reasonable person from considering this topic further. I then will point out how each of these challenges could be mitigated if these different perspectives were better integrated.
Conditions for Cool Superwinds in Massive Star-forming RegionsAshkbiz Danehkar
e-Talk presented at IAU Symposium 373 (IAUS373): Resolving the Rise and Fall of Star Formation in Galaxies, Busan, Korea, August 2022
Danehkar, Ashkbiz (2024). Conditions for Cool Superwinds in Massive Star-forming Regions. figshare. Presentation. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25029482
HORUS (Hyper-effective nOise Removal U-net Software) is a cutting-edge AI tool designed to enhance Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) optical low-light imagery of the Moon's shadowed regions by removing most of the CCD-related and photon noise. For the first time, HORUS enables scientists and engineers to identify intra-shadow geologic features (craters, boulders, etc.) as small as 3 meters across, making this tool uniquely useful for applications such as geologic mapping, landing site selection, hazard recognition, and mission planning, directly supporting the robotic and crewed exploration of the Moon's south pole.
Telescopes Based on Electrowetting Tunable LensesRandaqra
The document discusses electro-wetting tunable lenses for use in telescopes. It begins with background on surface tension and contact angles. Then it covers the history and concept of electro-wetting, which uses an electric field to reduce contact angles. Experimental examples are shown of liquid lens telescopes that can vary focus through electro-wetting. Output images demonstrate zoom capabilities of up to 4x magnification. The telescopes have potential applications in areas like artificial eyes.
This document summarizes the results of an MHD simulation coupled with a radiation transport model to simulate X-ray spectra from an accreting black hole. Key points:
- For the first time, the simulation is able to reproduce the main components seen in observed X-ray spectra, including a thermal peak, power-law tail, reflection hump, and iron line, by varying only the mass accretion rate.
- The temperature in the corona varies from 10 keV near the disk to over 100 keV in low-density regions, producing the hard X-ray emission through inverse-Compton scattering.
- Even as the disk's reflection edge varies from the horizon out to 6 gravitational radii with decreasing accretion
AGN Feeding and Feedback in M84: From Kiloparsec Scales to the Bondi RadiusSérgio Sacani
We present the deepest Chandra observation to date of the galaxy M84 in the Virgo Cluster, with over 840 kiloseconds of data
provided by legacy observations and a recent 730 kilosecond campaign. The increased signal-to-noise allows us to study the
origins of the accretion flow feeding the supermassive black hole in the center of M84 from the kiloparsec scales of the X-ray
halo to the Bondi radius, 𝑅B. Temperature, metallicity, and deprojected density profiles are obtained in four sectors about M84’s
AGN, extending into the Bondi radius. Rather than being dictated by the potential of the black hole, the accretion flow is strongly
influenced by the AGN’s bipolar radio jets. Along the jet axis, the density profile is consistent with 𝑛𝑒 ∝ 𝑟
−1
; however, the
profiles flatten perpendicular to the jet. Radio jets produce a significant asymmetry in the flow, violating a key assumption of
Bondi accretion. Temperature in the inner kiloparsec is approximately constant, with only a slight increase from 0.6 to 0.7 keV
approaching 𝑅B, and there is no evidence for a temperature rise imposed by the black hole. The Bondi accretion rate 𝑀¤ B exceeds
the rate inferred from AGN luminosity and jet power by over four orders of magnitude. In sectors perpendicular to the jet, 𝑀¤ B
measurements agree; however, the accretion rate is > 4𝜎 lower in the North sector along the jet, likely due to cavities in the X-ray
gas. Our measurements provide unique insight into the fueling of AGN responsible for radio mode feedback in galaxy clusters.
X-rays from a Central “Exhaust Vent” of the Galactic Center ChimneySérgio Sacani
Using deep archival observations from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we present an analysis of
linear X-ray-emitting features located within the southern portion of the Galactic center chimney,
and oriented orthogonal to the Galactic plane, centered at coordinates l = 0.08◦
, b = −1.42◦
. The
surface brightness and hardness ratio patterns are suggestive of a cylindrical morphology which may
have been produced by a plasma outflow channel extending from the Galactic center. Our fits of the
feature’s spectra favor a complex two-component model consisting of thermal and recombining plasma
components, possibly a sign of shock compression or heating of the interstellar medium by outflowing
material. Assuming a recombining plasma scenario, we further estimate the cooling timescale of this
plasma to be on the order of a few hundred to thousands of years, leading us to speculate that a
sequence of accretion events onto the Galactic Black Hole may be a plausible quasi-continuous energy
source to sustain the observed morphology
JWST early Universe observations and 𝚲CDM cosmologySérgio Sacani
Deep space observations of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed that the structure and
masses of very early Universe galaxies at high redshifts (𝑧~15), existing at ~0.3 Gyr after the BigBang,
may be as evolved as the galaxies in existence for ~10 Gyr. The JWST findings are thus in strong tension
with the ΛCDM cosmological model. While tired light (TL) models have been shown to comply with the
JWST angular galaxy size data, they cannot satisfactorily explain isotropy of the cosmic microwave
background (CMB) observations or fit the supernovae distance modulus vs. redshift data well. We have
developed hybrid models that include the tired light concept in the expanding universe. The hybrid ΛCDM
model fits the supernovae type 1a data well but not the JWST observations. We present a model with
covarying coupling constants (CCC), starting from the modified FLRW metric and resulting Einstein and
Friedmann equations, and a CCC+TL hybrid model. They fit the Pantheon+ data admirably, and the
CCC+TL model is compliant with the JWST observations. It stretches the age of the universe to 26.7 Gyr
with 5.8 Gyr at 𝑧 = 10 and 3.5 Gyr at 𝑧 = 20, giving enough time to form massive galaxies. It thus
resolves the 'impossible early galaxy' problem without requiring the existence of primordial black hole
seeds or modified power spectrum, rapid formation of massive population III stars, and super Eddington
accretion rates. One could infer the CCC model as an extension of the ΛCDM model with a dynamic
cosmological constant.
Spitzer Observations of the Predicted Eddington Flare from Blazar OJ 287Sérgio Sacani
Binary black hole (BH) central engine description for the unique blazar OJ 287 predicted that the
next secondary BH impact-induced bremsstrahlung flare should peak on 2019 July 31. This prediction
was based on detailed general relativistic modeling of the secondary BH trajectory around the primary
BH and its accretion disk. The expected flare was termed the Eddington flare to commemorate the
centennial celebrations of now-famous solar eclipse observations to test general relativity by Sir Arthur
Corresponding author: Lankeswar Dey
lankeswar.dey@tifr.res.in
arXiv:2004.13392v1 [astro-ph.HE] 28 Apr 2020
2 Laine et al.
Eddington. We analyze the multi-epoch Spitzer observations of the expected flare between 2019 July
31 and 2019 September 6, as well as baseline observations during 2019 February–March. Observed
Spitzer flux density variations during the predicted outburst time display a strong similarity with
the observed optical pericenter flare from OJ 287 during 2007 September. The predicted flare appears
comparable to the 2007 flare after subtracting the expected higher base-level Spitzer flux densities at
3.55 and 4.49 µm compared to the optical R-band. Comparing the 2019 and 2007 outburst lightcurves
and the previously calculated predictions, we find that the Eddington flare arrived within 4 hours of
the predicted time. Our Spitzer observations are well consistent with the presence of a nano-Hertz
gravitational wave emitting spinning massive binary BH that inspirals along a general relativistic
eccentric orbit in OJ 287. These multi-epoch Spitzer observations provide a parametric constraint
on the celebrated BH no-hair theorem.
The Tidal Disruption Event AT2021ehb: Evidence of Relativistic Disk Reflectio...Sérgio Sacani
We present X-ray, UV, optical, and radio observations of the nearby (≈78 Mpc) tidal disruption event
AT2021ehb/ZTF21aanxhjv during its first 430 days of evolution. AT2021ehb occurs in the nucleus of a galaxy
hosting a≈107 Me black hole (MBH inferred from host galaxy scaling relations). High-cadence Swift and Neutron
Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) monitoring reveals a delayed X-ray brightening. The spectrum first
undergoes a gradual soft → hard transition and then suddenly turns soft again within 3 days at δt≈272 days during
which the X-ray flux drops by a factor of 10. In the joint NICER+NuSTAR observation (δt = 264 days, harder
state), we observe a prominent nonthermal component up to 30 keV and an extremely broad emission line in the
iron K band. The bolometric luminosity of AT2021ehb reaches a maximum of -
+ 6.0 % 3.8 L 10.4
Edd when the X-ray
spectrum is the hardest. During the dramatic X-ray evolution, no radio emission is detected, the UV/optical
luminosity stays relatively constant, and the optical spectra are featureless. We propose the following
interpretations: (i) the soft → hard transition may be caused by the gradual formation of a magnetically
dominated corona; (ii) hard X-ray photons escape from the system along solid angles with low scattering optical
depth (∼a few) whereas the UV/optical emission is likely generated by reprocessing materials with much larger
column density—the system is highly aspherical; and (iii) the abrupt X-ray flux drop may be triggered by the
thermal–viscous instability in the inner accretion flow, leading to a much thinner disk.
Digitized Continuous Magnetic Recordings for the August/September 1859 Storms...Sérgio Sacani
Dedicated scientific measurements of the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field began at Greenwich and Kew observatories in London, United Kingdom, in the middle of the nineteenth century. Using advanced techniques for the time, collimated light was focussed onto mirrors mounted on free-swinging magnetized needles which reflected onto photographic paper, allowing continuous analog magnetograms to be recorded. By good fortune, both observatories were in full operation during the so-called Carrington storm in early September 1859 and its precursor storm in late August 1859. Based on digital images of the magnetograms and information from the observatory yearbooks and scientific papers, it is possible to scale the measurements to International System of Units (SI units) and extract quasi-minute cadence spot values. However, due to the magnitude of the storms, the periods of the greatest magnetic field variation were lost as the traces moved off-page. We present the most complete digitized magnetic records to date of the 10-day period from 25 August to 5 September 1859 encompassing the Carrington storm and its lesser recognized precursor on 28 August. We demonstrate the good correlation between observatories and estimate the instantaneous rate of change of the magnetic field.
IRJET- Intricate Appraisal of Quantum ChromodynamicsIRJET Journal
1) Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is the theory of the strong force that acts between quarks and gluons. It is a non-abelian gauge theory with symmetry group SU(3).
2) QCD exhibits two main properties - color confinement and asymptotic freedom. Color confinement means that as two quarks are separated, infinite energy is required to isolate them due to the constant force between them. Asymptotic freedom means that at short distances, the strong force is actually weak.
3) Experiments at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in the late 1960s provided evidence that protons have substructure, lending credence to Murray Gell-Mann's quark model of hadrons. This helped
GBT/MUSTANG-2 900 resolution imaging of the SZ effect in MS0735.6+7421 Confir...Sérgio Sacani
This document presents observations of the galaxy cluster MS0735.6+7421 made with the MUSTANG-2 instrument on the Green Bank Telescope at 90 GHz. The observations image the thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect from the cluster with ~900 arcsecond resolution. By fitting models to the time-ordered data, the authors find that the SZ signal associated with X-ray cavities in the cluster is suppressed compared to expectations for a purely thermal plasma. This suggests non-thermal pressure support within the cavities, possibly from magnetic fields, turbulence, relativistic particles or cosmic rays. At a minimum, any thermal electron population would need a temperature greater than ~100 keV, but non-thermal scenarios cannot be
Refining the OJ 287 2022 impact flare arrival epochSérgio Sacani
The bright blazar OJ 287 routinely parades high brightness bremsstrahlung flares, which are explained as being a result of a
secondary supermassive black hole (SMBH) impacting the accretion disc of a more massive primary SMBH in a binary system.
The accretion disc is not rigid but rather bends in a calculable way due to the tidal influence of the secondary. Next, we refer to
this phenomenon as a variable disc level. We begin by showing that these flares occur at times predicted by a simple analytical
formula, based on general relativity inspired modified Kepler equation, which explainsimpact flaressince 1888. The 2022 impact
flare, namely flare number 26, is rather peculiar as it breaks the typical pattern of two impact flares per 12-yr cycle. This is the
third bremsstrahlung flare of the current cycle that follows the already observed 2015 and 2019 impact flaresfrom OJ 287. It turns
out that the arrival epoch of flare number 26 is sensitive to the level of primary SMBH’s accretion disc relative to its mean level
in our model. We incorporate these tidally induced changes in the level of the accretion disc to infer that the thermal flare should
have occurred during 2022 July–August, when it was not possible to observe it from the Earth. Thereafter, we explore possible
observational evidence for certain pre-flare activity by employing spectral and polarimetric data from our campaigns in 2004/05
and 2021/22. We point out theoretical and observational implications of two observed mini-flares during 2022 January–February
The document summarizes recent theoretical developments in optical, excitonic, and photonic properties of 2D heterostructures. It discusses 1) optical excitation in complex structures like intra/inter-layer excitons in twisted materials and scattering with defects, 2) effects of the environment like quantum electrostatic models and phonon coupling, 3) excitations dynamics such as coupling of excitons and phonons and real-time dynamics, and 4) applications of machine learning for predicting new 2D materials and analyzing experiments.
Evidence of rocky_planetesimals_orbiting_two_hyades_starsSérgio Sacani
This document summarizes evidence of rocky planetesimals orbiting two white dwarf stars (WD 0421+162 and WD 0431+126) that were originally intermediate-mass stars in the Hyades open star cluster. Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectroscopy of the two white dwarfs detected silicon absorption lines, indicating ongoing accretion of silicon-rich material, along with upper limits on carbon that suggest the polluting material is more carbon-deficient than chondritic meteorites and thus rocky in composition. The observations are consistent with rocky planetesimals and small planets having formed around the two main-sequence progenitor stars in the Hyades, with the white dwarf descendants now showing signs of accretion from this planetary debris.
The Possible Tidal Demise of Kepler’s First Planetary SystemSérgio Sacani
We present evidence of tidally-driven inspiral in the Kepler-1658 (KOI-4) system, which consists of a giant planet
(1.1RJ, 5.9MJ) orbiting an evolved host star (2.9Re, 1.5Me). Using transit timing measurements from Kepler,
Palomar/WIRC, and TESS, we show that the orbital period of Kepler-1658b appears to be decreasing at a rate = -
+ P 131 22
20 ms yr−1
, corresponding to an infall timescale P P » 2.5 Myr. We consider other explanations for the
data including line-of-sight acceleration and orbital precession, but find them to be implausible. The observed
period derivative implies a tidal quality factor
¢ = ´ -
+ Q 2.50 10 0.62
0.85 4, in good agreement with theoretical
predictions for inertial wave dissipation in subgiant stars. Additionally, while it probably cannot explain the entire
inspiral rate, a small amount of planetary dissipation could naturally explain the deep optical eclipse observed for
the planet via enhanced thermal emission. As the first evolved system with detected inspiral, Kepler-1658 is a new
benchmark for understanding tidal physics at the end of the planetary life cycle
Super-massive black hole wake or bulgeless edge-on galaxy?Sérgio Sacani
van Dokkum et al. (2023) reported the serendipitous discovery of a thin linear object interpreted as the trail of star-forming regions
left behind by a runaway supermassive black hole (SMBH) kicked out from the center of a galaxy. Despite the undeniable interest
in the idea, the actual physical interpretation is not devoid of diculty. The wake of a SMBH produces only small perturbations on
the external medium, which has to be in exceptional physical conditions to collapse gravitationally and form a long (40 kpc) massive
(3 109M) stellar trace in only 39 Myr. Here we oer a more conventional explanation: the stellar trail is a bulgeless galaxy viewed
edge-on. This interpretation is supported by the fact that its position–velocity curve resembles a rotation curve which, together with
its stellar mass, puts the object right on top of the Tully-Fisher relation characteristic of disk galaxies. Moreover, the rotation curve
(Vmax 110 km s1), stellar mass, extension, width (z0 1.2 kpc), and surface brightness profile of the object are very much like those
of IC 5249, a well-known local bulgeless edge-on galaxy. These observational
1. The document discusses how large-scale high-performance computing like Blue Waters has contributed to astronomy, astrophysics, and space science over the past five years.
2. It provides examples of science done on Blue Waters including modeling planet formation, supernovae explosions, black hole mergers, galaxy formation, and cosmic reionization.
3. Blue Waters has enabled advances across scales from modeling the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere to simulating the first galaxies in the early universe.
Similar to Hydrodynamic Simulations of Starburst-driven Superwinds (20)
Anti-Universe And Emergent Gravity and the Dark UniverseSérgio Sacani
Recent theoretical progress indicates that spacetime and gravity emerge together from the entanglement structure of an underlying microscopic theory. These ideas are best understood in Anti-de Sitter space, where they rely on the area law for entanglement entropy. The extension to de Sitter space requires taking into account the entropy and temperature associated with the cosmological horizon. Using insights from string theory, black hole physics and quantum information theory we argue that the positive dark energy leads to a thermal volume law contribution to the entropy that overtakes the area law precisely at the cosmological horizon. Due to the competition between area and volume law entanglement the microscopic de Sitter states do not thermalise at sub-Hubble scales: they exhibit memory effects in the form of an entropy displacement caused by matter. The emergent laws of gravity contain an additional ‘dark’ gravitational force describing the ‘elastic’ response due to the entropy displacement. We derive an estimate of the strength of this extra force in terms of the baryonic mass, Newton’s constant and the Hubble acceleration scale a0 = cH0, and provide evidence for the fact that this additional ‘dark gravity force’ explains the observed phenomena in galaxies and clusters currently attributed to dark matter.
Evidence of Jet Activity from the Secondary Black Hole in the OJ 287 Binary S...Sérgio Sacani
Wereport the study of a huge optical intraday flare on 2021 November 12 at 2 a.m. UT in the blazar OJ287. In the binary black hole model, it is associated with an impact of the secondary black hole on the accretion disk of the primary. Our multifrequency observing campaign was set up to search for such a signature of the impact based on a prediction made 8 yr earlier. The first I-band results of the flare have already been reported by Kishore et al. (2024). Here we combine these data with our monitoring in the R-band. There is a big change in the R–I spectral index by 1.0 ±0.1 between the normal background and the flare, suggesting a new component of radiation. The polarization variation during the rise of the flare suggests the same. The limits on the source size place it most reasonably in the jet of the secondary BH. We then ask why we have not seen this phenomenon before. We show that OJ287 was never before observed with sufficient sensitivity on the night when the flare should have happened according to the binary model. We also study the probability that this flare is just an oversized example of intraday variability using the Krakow data set of intense monitoring between 2015 and 2023. We find that the occurrence of a flare of this size and rapidity is unlikely. In machine-readable Tables 1 and 2, we give the full orbit-linked historical light curve of OJ287 as well as the dense monitoring sample of Krakow.
CLASS 12th CHEMISTRY SOLID STATE ppt (Animated)eitps1506
Description:
Dive into the fascinating realm of solid-state physics with our meticulously crafted online PowerPoint presentation. This immersive educational resource offers a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental concepts, theories, and applications within the realm of solid-state physics.
From crystalline structures to semiconductor devices, this presentation delves into the intricate principles governing the behavior of solids, providing clear explanations and illustrative examples to enhance understanding. Whether you're a student delving into the subject for the first time or a seasoned researcher seeking to deepen your knowledge, our presentation offers valuable insights and in-depth analyses to cater to various levels of expertise.
Key topics covered include:
Crystal Structures: Unravel the mysteries of crystalline arrangements and their significance in determining material properties.
Band Theory: Explore the electronic band structure of solids and understand how it influences their conductive properties.
Semiconductor Physics: Delve into the behavior of semiconductors, including doping, carrier transport, and device applications.
Magnetic Properties: Investigate the magnetic behavior of solids, including ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and ferrimagnetism.
Optical Properties: Examine the interaction of light with solids, including absorption, reflection, and transmission phenomena.
With visually engaging slides, informative content, and interactive elements, our online PowerPoint presentation serves as a valuable resource for students, educators, and enthusiasts alike, facilitating a deeper understanding of the captivating world of solid-state physics. Explore the intricacies of solid-state materials and unlock the secrets behind their remarkable properties with our comprehensive presentation.
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.
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.
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.
Microbial interaction
Microorganisms interacts with each other and can be physically associated with another organisms in a variety of ways.
One organism can be located on the surface of another organism as an ectobiont or located within another organism as endobiont.
Microbial interaction may be positive such as mutualism, proto-cooperation, commensalism or may be negative such as parasitism, predation or competition
Types of microbial interaction
Positive interaction: mutualism, proto-cooperation, commensalism
Negative interaction: Ammensalism (antagonism), parasitism, predation, competition
I. Mutualism:
It is defined as the relationship in which each organism in interaction gets benefits from association. It is an obligatory relationship in which mutualist and host are metabolically dependent on each other.
Mutualistic relationship is very specific where one member of association cannot be replaced by another species.
Mutualism require close physical contact between interacting organisms.
Relationship of mutualism allows organisms to exist in habitat that could not occupied by either species alone.
Mutualistic relationship between organisms allows them to act as a single organism.
Examples of mutualism:
i. Lichens:
Lichens are excellent example of mutualism.
They are the association of specific fungi and certain genus of algae. In lichen, fungal partner is called mycobiont and algal partner is called
II. Syntrophism:
It is an association in which the growth of one organism either depends on or improved by the substrate provided by another organism.
In syntrophism both organism in association gets benefits.
Compound A
Utilized by population 1
Compound B
Utilized by population 2
Compound C
utilized by both Population 1+2
Products
In this theoretical example of syntrophism, population 1 is able to utilize and metabolize compound A, forming compound B but cannot metabolize beyond compound B without co-operation of population 2. Population 2is unable to utilize compound A but it can metabolize compound B forming compound C. Then both population 1 and 2 are able to carry out metabolic reaction which leads to formation of end product that neither population could produce alone.
Examples of syntrophism:
i. Methanogenic ecosystem in sludge digester
Methane produced by methanogenic bacteria depends upon interspecies hydrogen transfer by other fermentative bacteria.
Anaerobic fermentative bacteria generate CO2 and H2 utilizing carbohydrates which is then utilized by methanogenic bacteria (Methanobacter) to produce methane.
ii. Lactobacillus arobinosus and Enterococcus faecalis:
In the minimal media, Lactobacillus arobinosus and Enterococcus faecalis are able to grow together but not alone.
The synergistic relationship between E. faecalis and L. arobinosus occurs in which E. faecalis require folic acid
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.
PPT on Alternate Wetting and Drying presented at the three-day 'Training and Validation Workshop on Modules of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Technologies in South Asia' workshop on April 22, 2024.
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.
Candidate young stellar objects in the S-cluster: Kinematic analysis of a sub...Sérgio Sacani
Context. The observation of several L-band emission sources in the S cluster has led to a rich discussion of their nature. However, a definitive answer to the classification of the dusty objects requires an explanation for the detection of compact Doppler-shifted Brγ emission. The ionized hydrogen in combination with the observation of mid-infrared L-band continuum emission suggests that most of these sources are embedded in a dusty envelope. These embedded sources are part of the S-cluster, and their relationship to the S-stars is still under debate. To date, the question of the origin of these two populations has been vague, although all explanations favor migration processes for the individual cluster members. Aims. This work revisits the S-cluster and its dusty members orbiting the supermassive black hole SgrA* on bound Keplerian orbits from a kinematic perspective. The aim is to explore the Keplerian parameters for patterns that might imply a nonrandom distribution of the sample. Additionally, various analytical aspects are considered to address the nature of the dusty sources. Methods. Based on the photometric analysis, we estimated the individual H−K and K−L colors for the source sample and compared the results to known cluster members. The classification revealed a noticeable contrast between the S-stars and the dusty sources. To fit the flux-density distribution, we utilized the radiative transfer code HYPERION and implemented a young stellar object Class I model. We obtained the position angle from the Keplerian fit results; additionally, we analyzed the distribution of the inclinations and the longitudes of the ascending node. Results. The colors of the dusty sources suggest a stellar nature consistent with the spectral energy distribution in the near and midinfrared domains. Furthermore, the evaporation timescales of dusty and gaseous clumps in the vicinity of SgrA* are much shorter ( 2yr) than the epochs covered by the observations (≈15yr). In addition to the strong evidence for the stellar classification of the D-sources, we also find a clear disk-like pattern following the arrangements of S-stars proposed in the literature. Furthermore, we find a global intrinsic inclination for all dusty sources of 60 ± 20◦, implying a common formation process. Conclusions. The pattern of the dusty sources manifested in the distribution of the position angles, inclinations, and longitudes of the ascending node strongly suggests two different scenarios: the main-sequence stars and the dusty stellar S-cluster sources share a common formation history or migrated with a similar formation channel in the vicinity of SgrA*. Alternatively, the gravitational influence of SgrA* in combination with a massive perturber, such as a putative intermediate mass black hole in the IRS 13 cluster, forces the dusty objects and S-stars to follow a particular orbital arrangement. Key words. stars: black holes– stars: formation– Galaxy: center– galaxies: star formation
JAMES WEBB STUDY THE MASSIVE BLACK HOLE SEEDSSérgio Sacani
The pathway(s) to seeding the massive black holes (MBHs) that exist at the heart of galaxies in the present and distant Universe remains an unsolved problem. Here we categorise, describe and quantitatively discuss the formation pathways of both light and heavy seeds. We emphasise that the most recent computational models suggest that rather than a bimodal-like mass spectrum between light and heavy seeds with light at one end and heavy at the other that instead a continuum exists. Light seeds being more ubiquitous and the heavier seeds becoming less and less abundant due the rarer environmental conditions required for their formation. We therefore examine the different mechanisms that give rise to different seed mass spectrums. We show how and why the mechanisms that produce the heaviest seeds are also among the rarest events in the Universe and are hence extremely unlikely to be the seeds for the vast majority of the MBH population. We quantify, within the limits of the current large uncertainties in the seeding processes, the expected number densities of the seed mass spectrum. We argue that light seeds must be at least 103 to 105 times more numerous than heavy seeds to explain the MBH population as a whole. Based on our current understanding of the seed population this makes heavy seeds (Mseed > 103 M⊙) a significantly more likely pathway given that heavy seeds have an abundance pattern than is close to and likely in excess of 10−4 compared to light seeds. Finally, we examine the current state-of-the-art in numerical calculations and recent observations and plot a path forward for near-future advances in both domains.
Hydrodynamic Simulations of Starburst-driven Superwinds
1. Ashkbiz Danehkar
Department of Astronomy, University of Michigan
danehkar@umich.edu
In Collaborations with: Sally Oey, and Will Gray
Challenges and Innovations in Computational Astrophysics - III, June 21, 2021
Hydrodynamic Simulations of
Starburst-driven Superwinds
Superbubble
in
NGC
3079
(Credit:
X-ray:NASA/CXC/UMich/J-T
Li;Optical:NASA/STScI)