| 1. |
- Adams, S. M., et al.
(författare)
-
iPTF Survey for Cool Transients
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. - : IOP Publishing. - 0004-6280 .- 1538-3873. ; 130:985
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We performed a wide-area (2000 deg2) g and I band experiment as part of a two month extension to the Intermediate Palomar Transient Factory. We discovered 36 extragalactic transients including iPTF17lf, a highly reddened local SN Ia, iPTF17bkj, a new member of the rare class of transitional Ibn/IIn supernovae, and iPTF17be, a candidate luminous blue variable outburst. We do not detect any luminous red novae and place an upper limit on their rate. We show that adding a slow-cadence I band component to upcoming surveys such as the Zwicky Transient Facility will improve the photometric selection of cool and dusty transients.
|
|
| 2. |
- Adler, Alexandre E., 1995-
(författare)
-
Polarized beams and the things they've seen : Modelling optical systematics for CMB polarisation experiments
- 2024
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this thesis, I describe several advances in modelling sources of systematic error associated with microwave telescope optics. Microwave telescopes observing the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) are a key tool in establishing and furthering the LCDM model of cosmology. In the near future, several telescopes will observe the polarized variations of the CMB with unprecedented sensitivity to search for traces of cosmic inflation and the epoch of reionization. My research questioned how various optical non-idealities would affect the accuracy of these experiments. In particular, my collaborators and I have examined potential systematics related to the beam/point spread function, the half-wave plate (a polarization modulator), and thermal ground emission. Our modelling efforts have relied on expanding the beamconv software library and on the GRASP beam simulation software.
|
|
| 3. |
- Ahrens, Maryon, et al.
(författare)
-
Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - : American Astronomical Society. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 848:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of similar to 1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg(2) at a luminosity distance of 40(-8)(+8) Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 M-circle dot. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at similar to 40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over similar to 10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient's position similar to 9 and similar to 16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta.
|
|
| 4. |
- Altavilla, G., et al.
(författare)
-
The early spectral evolution of SN2004dt
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 475:2, s. 585-595
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims. We study the optical spectroscopic properties of Type Ia Supernova (SNIa) 2004dt, focusing our attention on the early epochs. Methods. Observation triggered soon after the SN 2004dt discovery allowed us to obtain a spectrophotometric coverage from day -10 to almost one year (similar to 353 days) after the B band maximum. Observations carried out on an almost daily basis allowed us a good sampling of the fast spectroscopic evolution of SN 2004dt in the early stages. To obtain this result, low-resolution, long-slit spectroscopy was obtained using a number of facilities. Results. This supernova, which in some absorption lines of its early spectra showed the highest degree of polarization ever measured in any SN Ia, has a complex velocity structure in the outer layers of its ejecta. Unburnt oxygen is present, moving at velocities as high as similar to 16 700 km s(-1), with some intermediate-mass elements (Mg, Si, Ca) moving equally fast. Modeling of the spectra based on standard density profiles of the ejecta fails to reproduce the observed features, whereas enhancing the density of outer layers significantly improves the fit. Our analysis indicates the presence of clumps of high-velocity, intermediate-mass elements in the outermost layers, which is also suggested by the spectropolarimetric data.
|
|
| 5. |
- Altavilla, G., et al.
(författare)
-
Type Ia SNe Along Redshift : The \mathcal {R}(Si II) Ratio and the Expansion Velocities in Intermediate-z Supernovae
- 2009
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 695, s. 135-148
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present a study of intermediate-z Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) using empirical physical diagrams which permit the investigation of those SNe explosions. This information can be very useful to reduce systematic uncertainties of the Hubble diagram of SNe Ia up to high z. The study of the expansion velocities and the measurement of the ratio \mathcal {R}(Si II) allow subtyping of SNe Ia as done in nearby samples. The evolution of this ratio as seen in the diagram \mathcal {R}(Si II)-(t) together with \mathcal {R}(Si II)max versus (B - V)0 indicates consistency of the properties at intermediate-z compared with the nearby SNe Ia. At intermediate-z, expansion velocities of Ca II and Si II are found similar to those of the nearby sample. This is found in a sample of six SNe Ia in the range 0.033 <=z<= 0.329 discovered within the International Time Programme of SNe Ia for Cosmology and Physics in the spring run of 2002.7The program run under Omega and Lambda from Supernovae and the Physics of Supernova Explosions within the International Time Programme at the telescopes of the European Northern Observatory (ENO) at La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). Two SNe Ia at intermediate-z were of the cool FAINT type, one being an SN1986G-like object highly reddened. The \mathcal {R}(Si II) ratio as well as subclassification of the SNe Ia beyond templates help to place SNe Ia in their sequence of brightness and to distinguish between reddened and intrinsically red supernovae. This test can be done with very high z SNe Ia and it will help to reduce systematic uncertainties due to extinction by dust. It should allow to map the high-z sample into the nearby one.
|
|
| 6. |
- Amanullah, R., et al.
(författare)
-
A HIGHLY MAGNIFIED SUPERNOVA AT z=1.703 BEHIND THE MASSIVE GALAXY CLUSTER A1689
- 2011
-
Ingår i: ASTROPHYS J LETT. - 2041-8205. ; 742:1, s. L7-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Our ability to study the most remote supernova explosions, crucial for the understanding of the evolution of the high-redshift universe and its expansion rate, is limited by the light collection capabilities of telescopes. However, nature offers unique opportunities to look beyond the range within reach of our unaided instruments thanks to the light-focusing power of massive galaxy clusters. Here we report on the discovery of one of the most distant supernovae ever found, at redshift z = 1.703. Due to a lensing magnification factor of 4.3 +/- 0.3, we are able to measure a light curve of the supernova, as well as spectroscopic features of the host galaxy with a precision comparable to what would otherwise only be possible with future generation telescopes.
|
|
| 7. |
- Amanullah, Rahman, et al.
(författare)
-
Diversity in extinction laws of Type Ia supernovae measured between 0.2 and 2 μm
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 453:3, s. 3300-3328
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present ultraviolet (UV) observations of six nearby Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, three of which were also observed in the near-IR (NIR) with Wide-Field Camera 3. UV observations with the Swift satellite, as well as ground-based optical and NIR data provide complementary information. The combined data set covers the wavelength range 0.2-2 mu m. By also including archival data of SN 2014J, we analyse a sample spanning observed colour excesses up to E(B - V) = 1.4 mag. We study the wavelength-dependent extinction of each individual SN and find a diversity of reddening laws when characterized by the total-to-selective extinction R-V. In particular, we note that for the two SNe with E(B - V) greater than or similar to 1 mag, for which the colour excess is dominated by dust extinction, we find R-V = 1.4 +/- 0.1 and R-V = 2.8 +/- 0.1. Adding UV photometry reduces the uncertainty of fitted R-V by similar to 50 per cent allowing us to also measure R-V of individual low-extinction objects which point to a similar diversity, currently not accounted for in the analyses when SNe Ia are used for studying the expansion history of the Universe.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Amanullah, Rahman, 1977-
(författare)
-
Observations of distant supernovae and cosmological implications
- 2006
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Type Ia supernovae can be used as distance indicators for probing the expansion history of the Universe. The method has proved to be an efficient tool in cosmology and played a decisive role in the discovery of a yet unknown energy form, dark energy, that drives the accelerated expansion of the Universe. The work in this thesis addresses the nature of dark energy, both by presenting existing data, and by predicting opportunities and difficulties related to possible future data.Optical and infrared measurements of type Ia supernovae for different epochs in the cosmic expansion history are presented along with a discussion of the systematic errors. The data have been obtained with several instruments, and an optimal method for measuring the lightcurve of a background contaminated source has been used. The procedure was also tested by applying it on simulated images.The future of supernova cosmology, and the target precision of cosmological parameters for the proposed SNAP satellite are discussed. In particular, the limits that can be set on various dark energy scenarios are investigated. The possibility of distinguishing between different inverse power-law quintessence models is also studied. The predictions are based on calculations made with the Supernova Observation Calculator, a software package, introduced in the thesis, for simulating the light propagation from distant objects. This tool has also been used for investigating how SNAP observations could be biased by gravitational lensing, and to what extent this would affect cosmology fitting. An alternative approach for estimating cosmological parameters, where lensing effects are taken into account, is also suggested. Finally, it is investigated to what extent strongly lensed core-collapse supernovae could be used as an alternative approach for determining cosmological parameters.
|
|
| 10. |
- Amanullah, Rahman, et al.
(författare)
-
PERTURBATIONS OF SNe Ia LIGHT CURVES, COLORS, AND SPECTRAL FEATURES BY CIRCUMSTELLAR DUST
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 735:1, s. 20-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It has been suggested that multiple scattering on circumstellar dust could explain the non-standard reddening observed in the line of sight to Type Ia supernovae. In this work, we use Monte Carlo simulations to examine how the scattered light would affect the shape of optical light curves and spectral features. We find that the effects on the light curve widths, apparent time evolution of color excess, and blending of spectral features originating at different photospheric velocities should allow for tests of the circumstellar dust hypothesis on a case by case basis. Our simulations also show that for circumstellar shells with radii r = 10(16)-10(19) cm, the light curve modifications are well described by the empirical Delta m(15) parameter and intrinsic color variations of order sigma(BV) = 0.05-0.1 arise naturally. For large shell radii an excess light curve tail is expected in B-band, as observed in, e.g., SN2006X.
|
|
