arXiv subjects

D. M. Williams

Publications and source records attributed to D. M. Williams.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

TDCOSMO XXVIII. The Hubble constant from the quadruply lensed quasar J1537$-$3010 with precise time delays

We present the first measurement of the Hubble constant ($H_0$) from the quadruply-lensed quasar J1537$-$3010, which has optically-measured time delays at $\sim2 \%$ precision. We combine these delays with multi-band imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and model the system with two independent software and teams. We adopt a mass profile that is maximally degenerate with $H_0$ to fully incorporate the mass-sheet degeneracy in the error budget, with nuisance parameters constrained by spatially resolved stellar kinematics from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) and a line-of-sight (LoS) analysis using the Euclid Flagship simulation. The entire analysis is performed blindly to $H_0$, distances and mass density slope of the main deflector. After unblinding, we measure $H_0 = 75.5^{+9.3}_{-5.8}\ {\rm km\,s^{-1}\,Mpc^{-1}}$, corresponding to a $10\%$ precision measurement from a single system. This precision is driven by conservative lens modeling assumptions including differences between lens modeling methods and the limited stellar kinematics constraints, from which we infer a total mass-sheet parameter $\lambda\equiv(1-\kappa_{\rm ext})\lambda_{\rm int} = 0.89^{+0.11}_{-0.06}$ ($\lambda_{\rm int}=0.89^{+0.09}_{-0.07}$) that is consistent with current results for elliptical galaxies ($\lambda \approx 1$). Our lensing constraints, stellar kinematic measurements and LoS characterization will be included in subsequent population-level measurements of $H_0$. Moreover, our lens models combined with future near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging from the James Webb Space Telescope will further reduce the uncertainties on $H_0$ from J1537$-$3010 alone, bringing it closer to the few percents precision of the time delays.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

TDCOSMO. XXVII. JWST-based Lens Models and H$_0$ Measurement of WFI2033, HE0435, and PG1115

Time-delay cosmography offers a one-step, distance-ladder-independent route to the Hubble-Lemaitre constant, H_0. We present new cosmography-grade lens models of three quadruply imaged quasars based on JWST-NIRCam/F115W imaging (WFI2033-4723, HE0435-1223, PG1115+080). We use the STARRED modeling technique, introduced in our previous analysis of WFI2033-4723, to reconstruct the complex JWST-NIRCam Point Spread Function at high fidelity. We combine NIRCam-based lens models with improved external convergence estimates, published time delays, and aperture-integrated stellar velocity dispersions from JWST NIRSpec to infer H_0. The analysis was carried out blindly for HE0435-1223 and PG1115+080, while it was not blind for WFI2033-4723, as we build upon the previous published model. For comparison with previous HST-based work, we limit our analysis to the case of no internal mass-sheet degeneracy ($\lambda_{\rm int}=1$). We quantify the impact of improved imaging, single-aperture kinematics, and environment measurements on central values and uncertainties. Within flat $\Lambda$CDM, assuming a uniform prior on $\Omega_{\rm m}$, we find H_0 = 71.8$_{-7.0}^{+9.2}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for PG1115+080, 74.2$_{-4.2}^{+4.2}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for HE0435-1223, and 73.4$_{-4.4}^{+3.4}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ for WFI2033-4723. Combining the three lenses yields H_0 = 73.5$_{-2.8}^{+2.7}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$, consistent with HST-based results (73.6$_{-2.6}^{+2.6}$ $\lambda_{\rm int}$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$), but with reduced scatter between the three systems. These models will be incorporated in the TDCOSMO-2026 milestone paper with free $\lambda_{\rm int}$ in a hierarchical fashion. We close by outlining how 16 forthcoming JWST NIRCam targets will further tighten uncertainties toward percent-level precision on H_0.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

TDCOSMO: XX. WFI2033--4723, the First Quadruply-Imaged Quasar Modeled with JWST Imaging

Gravitational time delays offer unique, independent measurements of the Hubble constant, $H_0$. Precise measurements of $H_0$ stand as one of the most pressing challenges in modern cosmology, and to do so with time delays requires precise lens models. While much work has focused on streamlining the modeling process to keep pace with the erumpent discovery of strongly-lensed systems, a critical step toward reducing uncertainty in $H_0$ comes from increasing the precision of individual lens models themselves. In this work, we demonstrate that the unprecedented imaging capabilities of JWST make this goal attainable. We present the first lens model for time-delay cosmography derived from JWST data, applied to the quadruply-imaged quasar WFI2033--4723. While the primary source of systematic uncertainty in time-delay cosmography is currently the mass-sheet degeneracy (MSD), the sensitivity of models to this MSD varies on how the point spread function (PSF) errors are mitigated. As the PSF is also the primary source of uncertainty in lens modeling, we focus on a comparison of different PSF modeling methods. Within the context of power-law models, we recover results in agreement with previous Hubble Space Telescope (HST)-based models, but with better precision of key lensing parameters through implementation of new PSF modeling techniques. Despite the record-holding precision of this system's HST modeling, we achieve an additional 22% increase in precision of the Fermat potential difference, directly reducing uncertainties of cosmological inference. These results would produce a 3% ($1\sigma$ of the modeling error) shift of $H_0$ towards a higher value for this lens, keeping all else constant. This work substantiates the groundbreaking potential of JWST for time-delay cosmography and lays the groundwork for modeling systems previously too faint to provide meaningful constraints on $H_0$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2008

Detecting the Glint of Starlight on the Oceans of Distant Planets

We propose that astronomers will be eventually be able to discriminate between extrasolar Earth-like planets with surface oceans and those without using the shape of phase light curves in the visible and near-IR spectrum. We model the visible light curves of planets having Earth-like surfaces, seasons, and optically-thin atmospheres with idealized diffuse-scattering clouds. We show that planets partially covered by water will appear measurably brighter near crescent phase (relative to Lambertian planets) because of the efficient specular reflection (i.e., glint) of starlight incident on their surfaces at a highly oblique angle. Planets on orbits within 30 degrees of edge-on orientation (half of all planets) will show pronounced glint over a sizeable range of orbital longitudes, from quadrature to crescent, all outside the glare of their parent stars. Also, water-covered planets will appear darker than a Lambertian disk near full illumination. Finally, we show that planets with a mixed land/water surface will polarize the reflected signal by as much as 30-70 percent. These results suggest several new ways of directly identifying water on distant planets.

astro-ph↗