arXiv subjects

Bringfried Stecklum

Publications and source records attributed to Bringfried Stecklum.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Citizen Science Search for Compact Emission Line Nebulae

In recent years, citizen science became an integral part of astronomy. Numerous projects contribute to important studies by involving large communities. While these are getting quite some attention, there are also individual efforts, which are nevertheless very valuable. Here, we report on results of a search for compact optical emission line nebulae, which are signposts of both young and evolved stars. The increased brightness in red photometric bands due to the contribution of shock-excited emission lines has been used as a tracer when examining optical broadband surveys. With the help of public databases, we identified and characterized associated sources if possible. Most of them are young stellar objects (YSOs).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

From Fragments to Flares: Migration, Tidal Disruption, and Observable Bursts in Massive Protostellar Disks

We investigate how resolving the inner few astronomical units of a massive protostellar disk affects the migration, disruption, and accretion signatures of an inward-moving fragment. In particular, we aim to determine whether the predicted burst strength and duration depend on the adopted sink cell size. We present a new three-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulation of a $\sim$5$M_{\odot}$ protostar surrounded by a self-gravitating disk, comparing the original 30 AU sink model to a refined model with a 1 AU sink that resolves the inner disk. The resulting gas structures are post-processed with radiative transfer calculations to derive synthetic photometry and multi-band images. Both simulations produce a major accretion burst as a migrating fragment is tidally disrupted, but their detailed behavior differs markedly. The refined model shows faster migration, a complete tidal disruption of the fragment, and a shorter, sharper outburst (more consistent with observations) with nearly the same peak accretion rate as the 30 AU model, which yields a broader, smoother event. The refined run produces much stronger near- and mid-infrared emission, reflecting the formation of a compact, hot inner disk. Resolving the inner few AU qualitatively changes the dynamics and observable appearance of fragment-driven bursts. Diffuse fragment disruption can reproduce decade-long events, but the much shorter ($<$3 yr) bursts observed in some massive protostars likely require the tidal disruption of more compact objects such as second Larson cores. Our trajectory analysis indicates that second Larson cores can migrate sufficiently close to the star to be tidally destroyed, offering a plausible mechanism for the fastest FU-Ori-like bursts observed in massive protostars.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Sub-millimeter wavelength protostellar accretion rate monitoring with AtLAST

How a star forms is a fundamental question in astrophysics. In the earliest stages of protostellar evolution high extinction prevents a direct study of the accretion processes and their temporal evolution. Monitoring the variations of the accretion luminosity in a large protostar sample over decades is needed to reveal how protostars accrete -- in major bursts or in a quasi-steady fashion. We here argue that a large ground based sub-millimeter single-dish facility with a wide FoV is required to fulfill this task.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Insights gained from the Light Echo of Cepheus A HW2

Cepheus A HW2 is a well-studied massive young stellar object (MYSO) featuring Class II methanol masers. Recently, certain maser components have been found to flare every five years. This period went undetected in (NEO)WISE photometry due to detector saturation. However, difference imaging revealed a light echo (LE), representing a variability record. Its periodicity is similar to that of the masers. Thereby, the mid-IR light curve since 2007 could be reconstructed. Phase and period maps provide information on the circumstellar dust distribution and viewing geometry. This is the first time an LE has been used for reverberation mapping of a YSO environment and expanding its light curve into the past.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Disentangling Joint Light Curves Using Photocenter Shifts: A Case Study Using NEOWISE Data

The data collected by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE, Wright et al. 2010) and its follow-up Near Earth Object (NEO) mission (NEOWISE, Mainzer et al. 2011) represent a treasure trove for variability studies. However, the angular resolution imposed by the primary mirror implies that close double stars are often unresolved. Then, variability of one or both stars leads to motion of the image centroid along the connecting line. Knowledge of the angular separation, derived from higher-resolution imaging which resolves both components, allows disentangling of the joint light curve into individual ones. This is illustrated by the case of SPICY 1474 which featured an outburst several years ago. Removal of the contribution of the nearby companion, which led to a dilution of the burst strength, revealed that it was ~0.5 mag brighter than in the joint light curve. A comparison with light curves from unTimely suggests that utilizing the photocenter shift may lead to more reliable results.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Early steep optical decay linked to reverse shock for GRB200131A

We observed an optical afterglow of GRB 200131A obtaining the first photometric point 63 s after the satellite trigger. This early observation shows a steep decay, suggesting either internal engine activity or a reverse shock. By fitting this data set, we show that the early data fit well as a reverse shock component of the GRB afterglow modeled as a thin shell expanding into a constant density interstellar matter. The fitting also shows a good agreement with a catalogued Milky Way galactic extinction and leaves only little space for further extinction in the host galaxy. By judging several factors we conclude that the most likely redshift of this GRB is 0.9 +/- 0.1.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

On the Chromaticity of the (NEO)WISE Astrometry

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE, Wright et al. 2010) and its follow-up Near-Earth Object (NEO) mission (NEOWISE, Mainzer et al. 2011) scan the mid-infrared sky twice a year. The spatial and temporal coverage of the resulting database is of utmost importance for variability studies, in particular of young stellar objects (YSOs) which have red $W1{-}W2$ colors. During such an effort, I noticed subarcsecond position offsets between subsequent visits. The offsets do not appear for targets with small $W1{-}W2$ colors, which points to a chromatic origin in the optics, caused by the spacecraft pointing alternating ``forward'' and ``backward'' from one visit to another. It amounts to 0\farcs1 for targets with $W1{-}W2\approx2$. Consideration of this chromatic offset will improve astrometry. This is of particular importance for NEOs that are generally red.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

VVV-WIT-12 and its fashionable nebula: a four year long period Young Stellar Object with a light echo?

We report the serendipitous discovery of VVV-WIT-12, an unusual variable source that seems to induce variability in its surrounding nebula. The source belongs to the rare objects that we call WITs (short for What Is This?) discovered within the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) survey. VVV-WIT-12 was discovered during a pilot search for light echoes from distant Supernovae (SNe) in the Milky Way using the near-IR images of the VVV survey. This source has an extremely red spectral energy distribution, consistent with a very reddened ($A_V \sim 100$ mag) long period variable star ($P\sim1525$ days). Furthermore, it is enshrouded in a nebula that changes brightness and color with time, apparently in synch with the central source variations. The near-IR light curve and complementary follow-up spectroscopy observations are consistent with a variable Young Stellar Object (YSO) illuminating its surrounding nebula. In this case the source periodic variation along the cycles produces an unprecedented light echo in the different regions of the nebula.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Optical and Near-infrared Observations of the Distant but Bright 'New Year's Burst' GRB 220101A

High-redshift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) provide a powerful tool to probe the early universe, but still for relatively few do we have good observations of the afterglow. We here report the optical and near-infrared observations of the afterglow of a relatively high-redshift event, GRB\,220101A, triggered on New Year's Day of 2022. With the optical spectra obtained at XL2.16/BFOSC and NOT/ALFOSC, we determine the redshift of the burst at $z= 4.615$. Based on our optical and near-infrared data, combined with the X-ray data, we perform multiband fit with the python package \emph{afterglowpy}. A jet-break at $\sim$ 0.7 day post-burst is found to constrain the opening angle of the jet as $\sim$ 3.4 degree. We also determine circumburst density of $n_0 = 0.15\ {\rm cm}^{-3}$ as well as kinetic energy $E_{\rm K, iso} = 3.52\times 10^{54}$ erg. The optical afterglow is among the most luminous ever detected. We also find a ``mirror'' feature in the lightcurve during the prompt phase of the burst from 80 s to 120 s. The physical origin of such mirror feature is unclear.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: V - Analysis of TXOri, V505Ori, and V510Ori, the HST ULLYSES targets in the $σ$Ori cluster

Investigations of the formation of young stellar objects (YSOs) and planets require the detailed analysis of individual sources as well as statistical analysis of a larger number of objects. The Hubble UV Legacy Library of Young Stars as Essential Standards (ULLYSES) project provides such a unique opportunity by establishing a UV spectroscopic library of young high- and low-mass stars in the local universe. Here we analyse optical photometry of the three ULLYSES targets (TXOri, V505Ori, V510Ori) and other YSOs in the $σ$Ori cluster taken at the time of the HST observations to provide a reference for those spectra. We identify three populations of YSOs along the line of sight to $σ$Ori, separated in parallax and proper motion space. The ULLYSES targets show typical YSO behaviour with pronounced variability and mass accretion rates of the order of 10$^{-8}$M$_\odot$/yr. Optical colours do not agree with standard interstellar reddening and suggest a significant contribution of scattered light. They are also amongst the most variable and strongest accretors in the cluster. V505\,Ori shows variability with a seven day period, indicating an inner disk warp at the co-rotation radius. Uncovering the exact nature of the ULLYSES targets will require improved detailed modelling of the HST spectra in the context of the available photometry, including scattered light contributions as well as non-standard reddening.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: IV -- Rotation Periods of YSOs in IC5070

Studying rotational variability of young stars is enabling us to investigate a multitude of properties of young star-disk systems. We utilise high cadence, multi-wavelength optical time series data from the Hunting Outbursting Young Stars citizen science project to identify periodic variables in the Pelican Nebula (IC5070). A double blind study using nine different period-finding algorithms was conducted and a sample of 59 periodic variables was identified. We find that a combination of four period finding algorithms can achieve a completeness of 85% and a contamination of 30% in identifying periods in inhomogeneous data sets. The best performing methods are periodograms that rely on fitting a sine curve. Utilising GaiaEDR3 data, we have identified an unbiased sample of 40 periodic YSOs, without using any colour or magnitude selections. With a 98.9% probability we can exclude a homogeneous YSO period distribution. Instead we find a bi-modal distribution with peaks at three and eight days. The sample has a disk fraction of 50%, and its statistical properties are in agreement with other similarly aged YSOs populations. In particular, we confirm that the presence of the disk is linked to predominantly slow rotation and find a probability of 4.8$\times$10$^{-3}$ that the observed relation between period and presence of a disk has occurred by chance. In our sample of periodic variables, we also find pulsating giants, an eclipsing binary, and potential YSOs in the foreground of IC5070.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

TAUKAM: a new prime-focus camera for the Tautenburg Schmidt Telescope

TAUKAM stands for "TAUtenburg KAMera", which will become the new prime-focus imager for the Tautenburg Schmidt telescope. It employs an e2v 6kx6k CCD and is under manufacture by Spectral Instruments Inc. We describe the design of the instrument and the auxiliary components, its specifications as well as the concept for integrating the device into the telescope infrastructure. First light is foreseen in 2017. TAUKAM will boost the observational capabilities of the telescope for what concerns optical wide-field surveys.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2020

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: III -- Warm spots on the active star V1598Cyg

Magnetic spots on low-mass stars can be traced and characterised using multi-band photometric light curves. Here we analyse an extensive data set for one active star, V1598Cyg, a known variable K dwarf which is either pre-main sequence and/or in a close binary system. Our light curve contains 2854 photometric data points, mostly in $V$, $R_c$, $I_c$, but also in $U$, $B$ and $Hα$, with a total baseline of about 4yr, obtained with small telescopes as part of the HOYS project. We find that V1598Cyg is a very fast rotator with a period of 0.8246 days and varying amplitudes in all filters, best explained as a signature of strong magnetic activity and spots. We fit the photometric amplitudes in $V$, $R_c$, $I_c$ and use them to estimate spot properties, using a grid-based method that is also propagating uncertainties. We verify the method on a partial data set with high cadence and all five broad-band filters. The method yields spot temperatures and fractional spot coverage with typical uncertainties of 100K and 3-4%, respectively. V1598Cyg consistently exhibits spots that are a few hundred degrees warmer than the photosphere, most likely indicating that the light curve is dominated by chromospheric plage. The spot activity varies over our observing baseline, with a typical time scale of 0.5-1yr, which we interpret as the typical spot lifetime. Combining our light curve with archival data, we find a six year cycle in the average brightness, that is probably a sign of a magnetic activity cycle.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: II -- Mapping a protoplanetary disk with stable structures at 0.15 AU

The HOYS citizen science project conducts long term, multifilter, high cadence monitoring of large YSO samples with a wide variety of professional and amateur telescopes. We present the analysis of the light curve of V1490Cyg in the Pelican Nebula. We show that colour terms in the diverse photometric data can be calibrated out to achieve a median photometric accuracy of 0.02mag in broadband filters, allowing detailed investigations into a variety of variability amplitudes over timescales from hours to several years. Using GaiaDR2 we estimate the distance to the Pelican Nebula to be 870$^{+70}_{-55}$pc. V1490Cyg is a quasi-periodic dipper with a period of 31.447$\pm$0.011d. The obscuring dust has homogeneous properties, and grains larger than those typical in the ISM. Larger variability on short timescales is observed in U and R$_c-$H$α$, with U-amplitudes reaching 3mag on timescales of hours, indicating the source is accreting. The H$α$ equivalent width and NIR/MIR colours place V1490Cyg between CTTS/WTTS and transition disk objects. The material responsible for the dipping is located in a warped inner disk, about 0.15AU from the star. This mass reservoir can be filled and emptied on time scales shorter than the period at a rate of up to 10$^{-10}$M$_\odot$/yr, consistent with low levels of accretion in other T Tauri stars. Most likely the warp at this separation from the star is induced by a protoplanet in the inner accretion disk. However, we cannot fully rule out the possibility of an AA Tau-like warp, or occultations by the Hill sphere around a forming planet.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Hubble imaging of V1331 Cygni: Proper motion study of its circumstellar structures

The young star V1331 Cyg received previous attention because it is surrounded by an optical, arc-like reflection nebula. V1331 Cyg is commonly considered to be a candidate for an object that has undergone an FU-Ori (FUOR) the outbreak in the past. This in turn could lead to a time-varying appearance of the dusty arcs that may be revealed by multi-epoch imaging. In particular, a radial colour analysis of the dust arcs can then be attempted to check whether radial grain size distribution was modified by a previous FUOR wind. Second-epoch imaging of V1331 Cyg was obtained by us in 2009 using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). By comparing this to archival HST data from 2000, we studied the time evolution of the circumstellar nebulae. After a point spread function subtraction using model point spread functions, we used customised routines to perform a proper motion analysis. The nebula expansion was first derived by deconvolving and correlating the two-epoch radial brightness profiles. Additional data from other facilities TLS, UKIDSS, SPITZER, and HERSCHEL were also incorporated to improve our understanding of the star in terms of environment, viewing angle, bipolar outflow length, and the FUOR phenomenon. The derived radial colour profiles do not indicate a spatial separation of the dust grain sizes. The HERSCHEL 160 micron images show for the time thermal emission from dust probably residing in the outer arc. By viewing V1331 Cyg almost pole-on, the length of the bipolar outflow exceeds previous estimates by far. The outer arc expansion timescale is consistent with the implantation time of the CO torus, which supports the hypothesis of an outburst that occurred a few thousand years ago. The azimuthal colour variation of the outer arc is probably due to changes of the scattering angle, imposed by a tilt or helical geometry of the dust configuration.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

A multi-wavelength interferometric study of the massive young stellar object IRAS 13481-6124

We present new mid-infrared interferometric observations of the massive young stellar object IRAS 13481-6124, using VLTI/MIDI for spectrally-resolved, long-baseline measurements (projected baselines up to $\sim120$ m) and GSO/T-ReCS for aperture-masking interferometry in five narrow-band filters (projected baselines of $\sim1.8-6.4$ m) in the wavelength range of $7.5-13$ $μ$m. We combine these measurements with previously-published interferometric observations in the $K$ and $N$ bands in order to assemble the largest collection of infrared interferometric observations for a massive YSO to date. Using a combination of geometric and radiative-transfer models, we confirm the detection at mid-infrared wavelengths of the disk previously inferred from near-infrared observations. We show that the outflow cavity is also detected at both near- and mid-infrared wavelengths, and in fact dominates the mid-infrared emission in terms of total flux. For the disk, we derive the inner radius ($\sim1.8$ mas or $\sim6.5$ AU at 3.6 kpc), temperature at the inner rim ($\sim1760$ K), inclination ($\sim48$ deg) and position angle ($\sim107$ deg). We determine that the mass of the disk cannot be constrained without high-resolution observations in the (sub-)millimeter regime or observations of the disk kinematics, and could be anywhere from $\sim10^{-3}$ to $20$ M$_\odot$. Finally, we discuss the prospects of interpreting the spectral energy distributions of deeply-embedded massive YSOs, and warn against attempting to infer disk properties from the SED.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Investigating 2MASS J06593158-0405277: a FUor burst in a triple system?

FUor outbursts in young stellar objects (YSOs) are the most dramatic events among episodic accretion phenomena. The origin of these bursts is not clear: disk instabilities and/or disk perturbations by an external body being the most viable hypotheses. Here, we report our VLT/SINFONI high angular resolution AO-assisted observations of 2MASS J06593158-0405277, which is undergoing a recently discovered FUor outburst. Our observations reveal the presence of an extended disc-like structure around the FUor, a very low-mass companion (2MASS J06593158-0405277B) at ~100 au in projection, and, possibly, a third closer companion at ~11 au. These sources appear to be young, displaying accretion signatures. Assuming the components are physically linked, 2MASS J06593158-0405277 would then be one of the very few triple systems observed in FUors.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

The VLTI/MIDI survey of massive young stellar objects - Sounding the inner regions around intermediate- and high-mass young stars using mid-infrared interferometry

We aim to characterize the distribution and composition of circumstellar material around young massive stars, and to investigate exactly which physical structures in these objects are probed by long-baseline mid-infrared interferometric observations. We used the two-telescope interferometric instrument MIDI of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer of the European Southern Observatory to observe a sample of 24 intermediate- and high-mass young stellar objects in the N band (8-13 micron). We had successful fringe detections for 20 objects, and present spectrally-resolved correlated fluxes and visibility levels for projected baselines of up to 128 m. We fit the visibilities with geometric models to derive the sizes of the emitting regions, as well as the orientation and elongation of the circumstellar material. Fourteen objects in the sample show the 10 micron silicate feature in absorption in the total and correlated flux spectra. For 13 of these objects, we were able to fit the correlated flux spectra with a simple absorption model, allowing us to constrain the composition and absorptive properties of the circumstellar material. Nearly all of the massive young stellar objects observed show significant deviations from spherical symmetry at mid-infrared wavelengths. In general, the mid-infrared emission can trace both disks and outflows, and in many cases it may be difficult to disentangle these components on the basis of interferometric data alone, because of the sparse spatial frequency coverage normally provided by current long-baseline interferometers. For the majority of the objects in this sample, the absorption occurs on spatial scales larger than those probed by MIDI. Finally, the physical extent of the mid-infrared emission around these sources is correlated with the total luminosity, albeit with significant scatter.

astro-ph.SR↗