| 1. |
- Andreoni, I., et al.
(författare)
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Follow Up of GW170817 and Its Electromagnetic Counterpart by Australian-Led Observing Programmes
- 2017
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Ingår i: Publications Astronomical Society of Australia. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1323-3580 .- 1448-6083. ; 34
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The discovery of the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave signal has generated follow-up observations by over 50 facilities world-wide, ushering in the new era of multi-messenger astronomy. In this paper, we present follow-up observations of the gravitational wave event GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterpart SSS17a/DLT17ck (IAU label AT2017gfo) by 14 Australian telescopes and partner observatories as part of Australian-based and Australian-led research programs. We report early- to late-time multi-wavelength observations, including optical imaging and spectroscopy, mid-infrared imaging, radio imaging, and searches for fast radio bursts. Our optical spectra reveal that the transient source emission cooled from approximately 6 400 K to 2 100 K over a 7-d period and produced no significant optical emission lines. The spectral profiles, cooling rate, and photometric light curves are consistent with the expected outburst and subsequent processes of a binary neutron star merger. Star formation in the host galaxy probably ceased at least a Gyr ago, although there is evidence for a galaxy merger. Binary pulsars with short (100 Myr) decay times are therefore unlikely progenitors, but pulsars like PSR B1534+12 with its 2.7 Gyr coalescence time could produce such a merger. The displacement (similar to 2.2 kpc) of the binary star system from the centre of the main galaxy is not unusual for stars in the host galaxy or stars originating in the merging galaxy, and therefore any constraints on the kick velocity imparted to the progenitor are poor.
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| 2. |
- De Rosa, G., et al.
(författare)
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Velocity-resolved Reverberation Mapping of Five Bright Seyfert 1 Galaxies
- 2018
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 866:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the first results from a reverberation-mapping campaign undertaken during the first half of 2012, with additional data on one active galactic nucleus (AGN) (NGC 3227) from a 2014 campaign. Our main goals are (1) to determine the black hole masses from continuum-H beta reverberation signatures, and (2) to look for velocity-dependent time delays that might be indicators of the gross kinematics of the broad-line region. We successfully measure H beta time delays and black hole masses for five AGNs, four of which have previous reverberation mass measurements. The values measured here are in agreement with earlier estimates, though there is some intrinsic scatter beyond the formal measurement errors. We observe velocity-dependent H beta lags in each case, and find that the patterns have changed in the intervening five years for three AGNs that were also observed in 2007.
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| 5. |
- Väisänen, P, et al.
(författare)
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Adaptive optics imaging and optical spectroscopy of a multiple merger in a luminous infrared galaxy
- 2008
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 384:3, s. 886-906
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present near-infrared (NIR) adaptive optics imaging obtained with VLT/NACO and optical spectroscopy from the Southern African Large Telescope of a luminous IR galaxy (LIRG) IRAS 19115-2124. These data are combined with archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging and Spitzer imaging and spectroscopy, allowing us to study this disturbed interacting/merging galaxy, dubbed the Bird, in extraordinary detail. In particular, the data reveal a triple system where the LIRG phenomenon is dominated by the smallest of the components. One nucleus is a regular barred spiral with significant rotation, while another is highly disturbed with a surface brightness distribution intermediate to that of disc and bulge systems, and hints of remaining arm/bar structure. We derive dynamical masses in the range 3-7 × 1010Msolarfor both. The third component appears to be a 1-2 × 1010Msolar mass irregular galaxy. The total system exhibits HII galaxy-like optical line ratios and strengths, and no evidence for active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity is found from optical or mid-IR data. The star formation rate is estimated to be ~190Msolaryr-1. We also report a search for supernovae from NIR images separated by five months and search for superstar cluster candidates. We detect outflowing gas from the Bird mostly in the range 100-300 km s-1 using NaI D absorption features. Overall, the Bird shows kinematic, dynamical and emission-line properties typical for cool ultraluminous IR galaxies (ULIRGs). However, the interesting features setting it apart for future studies are its triple merger nature, and the location of its star formation peak - the strongest star formation, as revealed by Spitzer imaging, does not come from the two major K-band nuclei, but from the third irregular component. This is in contrast to the conventional view that the (U)LIRG phases are powered by infalling gas to the major nuclei of the merging spiral galaxies. Aided by simulations, we discuss scenarios where the irregular component is on its first high-speed encounter with the more massive components. Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the Paranal Observatory under programme 073.D-0406A, and with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).
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| 6. |
- Milisavljevic, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF SUPERNOVA 2011ei : TIME-DEPENDENT CLASSIFICATION OF TYPE IIb AND Ib SUPERNOVAE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THEIR PROGENITORS
- 2013
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 767:1, s. 71-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present X-ray, UV/optical, and radio observations of the stripped-envelope, core-collapse supernova (SN) 2011ei, one of the least luminous SNe IIb or Ib observed to date. Our observations begin with a discovery within similar to 1 day of explosion and span several months afterward. Early optical spectra exhibit broad, Type II-like hydrogen Balmer profiles that subside rapidly and are replaced by Type Ib-like He-rich features on a timescale of one week. High-cadence monitoring of this transition suggests absorption attributable to a high-velocity (greater than or similar to 12,000 km s(-1)) H-rich shell, which is likely present in many Type Ib events. Radio observations imply a shock velocity of v approximate to 0.13 c and a progenitor star average mass-loss rate of (M) over dot approximate to 1.4 x 10(-5) M-circle dot yr(-1) (assuming wind velocity v(w) = 10(3) km s(-1)). This is consistent with independent constraints from deep X-ray observations with Swift-XRT and Chandra. Overall, the multi-wavelength properties of SN 2011ei are consistent with the explosion of a lower-mass (3-4 M-circle dot), compact (R-* less than or similar to 1 x 10(11) cm), He-core star. The star retained a thin hydrogen envelope at the time of explosion, and was embedded in an inhomogeneous circumstellar wind suggestive of modest episodic mass loss. We conclude that SN 2011ei's rapid spectral metamorphosis is indicative of time-dependent classifications that bias estimates of the relative explosion rates for Type IIb and Ib objects, and that important information about a progenitor star's evolutionary state and mass loss immediately prior to SN explosion can be inferred from timely multi-wavelength observations.
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