arXiv subjects

Eugene A. Magnier

Publications and source records attributed to Eugene A. Magnier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Minutes-duration Optical Flares with Supernova Luminosities

In recent years, certain luminous extragalactic optical transients have been observed to last only a few days. Their short observed duration implies a different powering mechanism from the most common luminous extragalactic transients (supernovae) whose timescale is weeks. Some short-duration transients, most notably AT2018cow, display blue optical colours and bright radio and X-ray emission. Several AT2018cow-like transients have shown hints of a long-lived embedded energy source, such as X-ray variability, prolonged ultraviolet emission, a tentative X-ray quasiperiodic oscillation, and large energies coupled to fast (but subrelativistic) radio-emitting ejecta. Here we report observations of minutes-duration optical flares in the aftermath of an AT2018cow-like transient, AT2022tsd (the "Tasmanian Devil"). The flares occur over a period of months, are highly energetic, and are likely nonthermal, implying that they arise from a near-relativistic outflow or jet. Our observations confirm that in some AT2018cow-like transients the embedded energy source is a compact object, either a magnetar or an accreting black hole.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

The Hawaii Infrared Parallax Program. VI. The Fundamental Properties of 1000+ Ultracool Dwarfs and Planetary-mass Objects Using Optical to Mid-IR SEDs and Comparison to BT-Settl and ATMO 2020 Model Atmospheres

We derive the bolometric luminosities ($L_{\mathrm{bol}}$) of 865 field-age and 189 young ultracool dwarfs (spectral types M6-T9, including 40 new discoveries presented here) by directly integrating flux-calibrated optical to mid-IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs). The SEDs consist of low-resolution ($R\sim$ 150) near-IR (0.8-2.5 $μ$m) spectra (including new spectra for 97 objects), optical photometry from the Pan-STARRS1 survey, and mid-IR photometry from the CatWISE2020 survey and Spitzer/IRAC. Our $L_{\mathrm{bol}}$ calculations benefit from recent advances in parallaxes from Gaia, Spitzer, and UKIRT, as well as new parallaxes for 19 objects from CFHT and Pan-STARRS1 presented here. Coupling our $L_{\mathrm{bol}}$ measurements with a new uniform age analysis for all objects, we estimate substellar masses, radii, surface gravities, and effective temperatures ($T_{\mathrm{eff}}$) using evolutionary models. We construct empirical relationships for $L_{\mathrm{bol}}$ and $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ as functions of spectral type and absolute magnitude, determine bolometric corrections in optical and infrared bandpasses, and study the correlation between evolutionary model-derived surface gravities and near-IR gravity classes. Our sample enables a detailed characterization of BT-Settl and ATMO 2020 atmospheric model systematics as a function of spectral type and position in the near-IR color-magnitude diagram. We find the greatest discrepancies between atmospheric and evolutionary model-derived $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ (up to 800 K) and radii (up to 2.0 $R_{\mathrm{Jup}}$) at the M/L transition boundary. With 1054 objects, this work constitutes the largest sample to date of ultracool dwarfs with determinations of their fundamental parameters.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Relative intrinsic scatter in hierarchical Type Ia supernova siblings analyses: Application to SNe 2021hpr, 1997bq & 2008fv in NGC 3147

We present Young Supernova Experiment $grizy$ photometry of SN 2021hpr, the third Type Ia supernova sibling to explode in the Cepheid calibrator galaxy, NGC 3147. Siblings are useful for improving SN-host distance estimates, and investigating the contributions towards the SN Ia intrinsic scatter (post-standardisation residual scatter in distance estimates). We thus develop a principled Bayesian framework for analyzing SN Ia siblings. At its core is the cosmology-independent relative intrinsic scatter parameter, $σ_{Rel}$: the dispersion of siblings distance estimates relative to one another within a galaxy. It quantifies the contribution towards the total intrinsic scatter, $σ_0$, from within-galaxy variations about the siblings' common properties. It also affects the combined-distance uncertainty. We present analytic formulae for computing a $σ_{Rel}$-posterior from individual siblings distances (estimated using any SN-model). Applying a newly trained BayeSN model, we fit the light curves of each sibling in NGC 3147 individually, to yield consistent distance estimates. However, the wide $σ_{Rel}$-posterior means $σ_{Rel}\approxσ_0$ is not ruled out. We thus combine the distances by marginalizing over $σ_{Rel}$ with an informative prior: $σ_{Rel}\sim U(0,σ_0)$. Simultaneously fitting the trio's light curves improves constraints on distance, and each sibling's individual dust parameters, compared to individual fits. Higher correlation also tightens dust parameter constraints. Therefore, $σ_{Rel}$-marginalization yields robust estimates of siblings distances for cosmology, and dust parameters for siblings-host correlation studies. Incorporating NGC 3147's Cepheid-distance yields $H_0=78.4\pm 6.5\,$km/s/Mpc. Our work motivates analyses of homogeneous siblings samples, to constrain $σ_{Rel}$, and its SN-model dependence.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Fast and Not-so-Furious: Case Study of the Fast and Faint Type IIb SN 2021bxu

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations and analysis of SN 2021bxu (ATLAS21dov), a low-luminosity, fast-evolving Type IIb supernova (SN). SN 2021bxu is unique, showing a large initial decline in brightness followed by a short plateau phase. With $M_r = -15.93 \pm 0.16\, \mathrm{mag}$ during the plateau, it is at the lower end of the luminosity distribution of stripped-envelope supernovae (SE-SNe) and shows a distinct $\sim$10 day plateau not caused by H- or He-recombination. SN 2021bxu shows line velocities which are at least $\sim1500\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$ slower than typical SE-SNe. It is photometrically and spectroscopically similar to Type IIb SNe during the photospheric phases of evolution, with similarities to Ca-rich IIb SNe. We find that the bolometric light curve is best described by a composite model of shock interaction between the ejecta and an envelope of extended material, combined with a typical SN IIb powered by the radioactive decay of $^{56}$Ni. The best-fit parameters for SN 2021bxu include a $^{56}$Ni mass of $M_{\mathrm{Ni}} = 0.029^{+0.004}_{-0.005}\,\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$, an ejecta mass of $M_{\mathrm{ej}} = 0.61^{+0.06}_{-0.05}\,\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$, and an ejecta kinetic energy of $K_{\mathrm{ej}} = 8.8^{+1.1}_{-1.0} \times 10^{49}\, \mathrm{erg}$. From the fits to the properties of the extended material of Ca-rich IIb SNe we find a trend of decreasing envelope radius with increasing envelope mass. SN 2021bxu has $M_{\mathrm{Ni}}$ on the low end compared to SE-SNe and Ca-rich SNe in the literature, demonstrating that SN 2021bxu-like events are rare explosions in extreme areas of parameter space. The progenitor of SN 2021bxu is likely a low mass He star with an extended envelope.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Type II-P Supernova Progenitor Star Initial Masses and SN 2020jfo: Direct Detection, Light Curve Properties, Nebular Spectroscopy, and Local Environment

We present optical, ultraviolet, and infrared data of the type II supernova (SN II) 2020jfo at 14.5 Mpc. This wealth of multiwavelength data allows to compare different metrics commonly used to estimate progenitor masses of SN II for the same object. Using its early light curve, we infer SN 2020jfo had a progenitor radius of $\approx$700 $R_{\odot}$, consistent with red supergiants of initial mass $M_{\rm ZAMS}=$11-13 $M_{\odot}$. The decline in its late-time light curve is best fit by a ${}^{56}$Ni mass of 0.018$\pm$0.007 $M_{\odot}$ consistent with that ejected from SN II-P with $\approx$13 $M_{\odot}$ initial mass stars. Early spectra and photometry do not exhibit signs of interaction with circumstellar matter, implying that SN 2020jfo experienced weak mass loss within the final years prior to explosion. Our spectra at $>$250 days are best fit by models from 12 $M_{\odot}$ initial mass stars. We analyzed integral field unit spectroscopy of the stellar population near SN 2020jfo, finding its massive star population had a zero age main sequence mass of 9.7$\substack{+2.5\\-1.3} M_{\odot}$. We identify a single counterpart in pre-explosion imaging and find it has an initial mass of at most $7.2\substack{+1.2\\-0.6} M_{\odot}$. We conclude that the inconsistency between this mass and indirect mass indicators from SN 2020jfo itself is most likely caused by extinction with $A_{V}=2$-3 mag due to matter around the progenitor star, which lowered its observed optical luminosity. As SN 2020jfo did not exhibit extinction at this level or evidence for interaction with circumstellar matter between 1.6-450 days from explosion, we conclude that this material was likely confined within $\approx$3000 $R_{\odot}$ from the progenitor star.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Astrometric Accelerations as Dynamical Beacons: Discovery and Characterization of HIP 21152 B, the First T-Dwarf Companion in the Hyades

Benchmark brown dwarf companions with well-determined ages and model-independent masses are powerful tools to test substellar evolutionary models and probe the formation of giant planets and brown dwarfs. Here, we report the independent discovery of HIP~21152~B, the first imaged brown dwarf companion in the Hyades, and conduct a comprehensive orbital and atmospheric characterization of the system. HIP~21152 was targeted in an ongoing high-contrast imaging campaign of stars exhibiting proper motion changes between Hipparcos and Gaia, and was also recently identified by Bonavita et al. (2022) and Kuzuhara et al. (2022). Our Keck/NIRC2 and SCExAO/CHARIS imaging of HIP~21152 revealed a comoving companion at a separation of $0.37^{\prime\prime}$ (16 au). We perform a joint orbit fit of all available relative astrometry and radial velocities together with the Hipparcos-Gaia proper motions, yielding a dynamical mass of $24^{+6}_{-4}\,\mathrm{M_{Jup}}$, which is $1{-}2σ$ lower than evolutionary model predictions. Hybrid grids that include the evolution of cloud properties best reproduce the dynamical mass. We also identify a comoving wide-separation ($1837^{\prime\prime}$ or $7.9 \times 10^4 \, \mathrm{au}$) early-L dwarf with an inferred mass near the hydrogen-burning limit. Finally, we analyze the spectra and photometry of HIP~21152~B using the Saumon & Marley (2008) atmospheric models and a suite of retrievals. The best-fit grid-based models have $f_{\mathrm{sed}}=2$, indicating the presence of clouds, $T_{\mathrm{eff}}=1400 \, \mathrm{K}$, and $\log{g}=4.5 \, \mathrm{dex}$. These results are consistent with the object's spectral type of $\mathrm{T0\pm1}$. As the first benchmark brown dwarf companion in the Hyades, HIP~21152~B joins the small but growing number of substellar companions with well-determined ages and dynamical masses.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

A 4 Gyr M-dwarf Gyrochrone from CFHT/MegaPrime Monitoring of the Open Cluster M67

We present stellar rotation periods for late K- and early M-dwarf members of the 4 Gyr old open cluster M67 as calibrators for gyrochronology and tests of stellar spin-down models. Using Gaia EDR3 astrometry for cluster membership and Pan-STARRS (PS1) photometry for binary identification, we build this set of rotation periods from a campaign of monitoring M67 with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope's MegaPrime wide field imager. We identify 1807 members of M67, of which 294 are candidate single members with significant rotation period detections. Moreover, we fit a polynomial to the period versus color-derived effective temperature sequence observed in our data. We find that the rotation of very cool dwarfs can be explained by a simple solid-body spin-down between 2.7 and 4 Gyr. We compare this rotational sequence to the predictions of gyrochronological models and find that the best match is Skumanich-like spin-down, P_rot \propto t^0.62, applied to the sequence of Ruprecht 147. This suggests that, for spectral types K7-M0 with near-solar metallicity, once a star resumes spinning down, a simple Skumanich-like is sufficient to describe their rotation evolution, at least through the age of M67. Additionally, for stars in the range M1-M3, our data show that spin-down must have resumed prior to the age of M67, in conflict with predictions of the latest spin-down models.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

On The Unusual Variability of 2MASS J06195260-2903592: A Long-Lived Disk around a Young Ultracool Dwarf

We present the characterization of the low-gravity M6 dwarf 2MASS J0619-2903 previously identified as an unusual field object based on its strong IR excess and variable near-IR spectrum. Multiple epochs of low-resolution (R~150) near-IR spectra show large-amplitude (~0.1-0.5 mag) continuum variations on timescales of days to 12 years, unlike the small-amplitude variability typical for field ultracool dwarfs. The variations between epochs are well-modeled as changes in the relative extinction ($Δ{A_V}\approx2$ mag). Likewise, Pan-STARRS optical photometry varies on timescales as long as 11 years (and possibly as short as an hour) and implies similar amplitude $A_V$ changes. NEOWISE mid-IR light curves also suggest changes on 6-month timescales, with amplitudes consistent with the optical/near-IR extinction variations. However, near-IR spectra, near-IR photometry, and optical photometry obtained in the past year indicate the source can also be stable on hourly and monthly timescales. From comparison to objects of similar spectral type, the total extinction of 2MASS J0619-2903 seems to be $A_V\approx4-6$ mag, with perhaps epochs of lower extinction. Gaia EDR3 finds that 2MASS J0619-2903 has a wide-separation (1.2' = 10450 AU) stellar companion, with an isochronal age of $31^{+22}_{-10}$ Myr and a mass of $0.30^{+0.04}_{-0.03}$ Msun. Adopting this companion's age and EDR3 distance (145.2$\pm$0.6 pc), we estimate a mass of 0.11-0.17 Msun for 2MASS J0619-2903. Altogether, 2MASS J0619-2903 appears to possess an unusually long-lived primordial circumstellar disk, perhaps making it a more obscured analog to the "Peter Pan" disks found around a few M dwarfs in nearby young moving groups.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

COol Companions ON Ultrawide orbiTS (COCONUTS). III. A Very Red L6 Benchmark Brown Dwarf around a Young M5 Dwarf

We present the third discovery from the COol Companions ON Ultrawide orbiTS (COCONUTS) program, the COCONUTS-3 system, composed of a young M5 primary star UCAC4 374-046899 and a very red L6 dwarf WISEA J081322.19$-$152203.2. These two objects have a projected separation of 61$''$ (1891 au) and are physically associated given their common proper motions and estimated distances. The primary star, COCONUTS-3A, has a mass of $0.123\pm0.006$ M$_{\odot}$ and we estimate its age as 100 Myr to 1 Gyr based on its kinematics and spectrophotometric properties. We derive its metallicity as $0.21 \pm 0.07$ dex using empirical calibrations established by older higher-gravity M dwarfs and find this [Fe/H] could be slightly underestimated according to PHOENIX models given COCONUTS-3A's younger age. The companion, COCONUTS-3B, has a near-infrared spectral type of L6$\pm$1 INT-G, and we infer physical properties of $T_{\rm eff} = 1362^{+48}_{-73}$ K, $\log{(g)}= 4.96^{+0.15}_{-0.34}$ dex, $R = 1.03^{+0.12}_{-0.06}$ R$_{\rm Jup}$, and $M = 39^{+11}_{-18}$ M$_{\rm Jup}$, using its bolometric luminosity, its host star's age, and hot-start evolution models. We construct cloudy atmospheric model spectra at the evolution-based physical parameters and compare them to COCONUTS-3B's spectrophotometry. We find this companion possesses ample condensate clouds in its photosphere with the data-model discrepancies likely due to the models using an older version of the opacity database. Compared to field-age L6 dwarfs, COCONUTS-3B has fainter absolute magnitudes and a 120 K cooler $T_{\rm eff}$. Also, the J-K color of this companion is among the reddest for ultracool benchmarks with ages older than a few 100 Myr. COCONUTS-3 likely formed in the same fashion as stellar binaries given the companion-to-host mass ratio of 0.3 and represents a valuable benchmark to quantify the systematics of substellar model atmospheres.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

The Circumstellar Environments of Double-Peaked, Calcium-strong Supernovae 2021gno and 2021inl

We present panchromatic observations and modeling of calcium-strong supernovae (SNe) 2021gno in the star-forming host galaxy NGC 4165 (D = 30.5 Mpc) and 2021inl in the outskirts of elliptical galaxy NGC 4923 (D = 80 Mpc), both monitored through the Young Supernova Experiment (YSE) transient survey. The multi-color light curves of both SNe show two peaks, the former peak being derived from shock cooling emission (SCE) and/or shock interaction with circumstellar material (CSM). The primary peak in SN 2021gno is coincident with luminous, rapidly decaying X-ray emission ($L_x = 5 \times 10^{41}$ erg s$^{-1}$) detected by Swift-XRT at $δt = 1$ day after explosion, this observation being the second ever detection of X-rays from a calcium-strong transient. We interpret the X-ray emission from SN 2021gno in the context of shock interaction with dense CSM that extends to $r < 3 \times 10^{14}$ cm. Based on modeling of the SN 2021gno X-ray spectrum, we calculate a CSM mass range of $M_{\rm CSM} = (0.3 - 1.6) \times 10^{-3}$ M$_{\odot}$ and particle densities of $n = (1-4) \times 10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$. Radio non-detections of SN 2021gno indicate a low-density environment at larger radii ($r > 10^{16}$ cm) and a progenitor mass loss rate of $\dot{M} < 10^{-4}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, for $v_w = 500$ km s$^{-1}$. For radiation derived from SCE, modeling of the primary light curve peak in both SNe indicates an extended progenitor envelope mass and radius of $M_e = 0.02 - 0.05$ M$_{\odot}$ and $R_e = 30 - 230$ R$_{\odot}$. The explosion properties of SNe 2021gno and 2021inl suggest progenitor systems containing either a low-mass massive star or a white dwarf (WD), the former being unlikely for either object given the lack of star formation at both explosion sites. Furthermore, the progenitor environments of both SNe are consistent with explosion models for low-mass hybrid He/C/O WD + C/O WD binaries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

An Early-Time Optical and Ultraviolet Excess in the type-Ic SN 2020oi

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of Supernova 2020oi (SN 2020oi), a nearby ($\sim$17 Mpc) type-Ic supernova (SN Ic) within the grand-design spiral M100. We undertake a comprehensive analysis to characterize the evolution of SN 2020oi and constrain its progenitor system. We detect flux in excess of the fireball rise model $δt \approx 2.5$ days from the date of explosion in multi-band optical and UV photometry from the Las Cumbres Observatory and the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, respectively. The derived SN bolometric luminosity is consistent with an explosion with $M_{\rm ej} = 0.81 \pm 0.03 M_{\odot}$, $E_{k}= 0.79 \pm 0.09 \times 10^{51} \rm{erg} \rm{s}^{-1}$, and $M_{\rm Ni56} = 0.08 \pm 0.02 M_{\odot}$. Inspection of the event's decline reveals the highest $Δm_{15,\rm{bol}}$ reported for a stripped-envelope event to date. Modeling of optical spectra near event peak indicates a partially mixed ejecta comparable in composition to the ejecta observed in SN 1994I, while the earliest spectrum shows signatures of a possible interaction with material of a distinct composition surrounding the SN progenitor. Further, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) pre-explosion imaging reveals a stellar cluster coincident with the event. From the cluster photometry, we derive the mass and age of the SN progenitor using stellar evolution models implemented in the BPASS library. Our results indicate that SN 2020oi occurred in a binary system from a progenitor of mass $M_{\rm ZAMS} \approx 9.5 \pm 1.0 M_{\odot}$, corresponding to an age of $27 \pm 7$ Myr. SN 2020oi is the dimmest SN Ic event to date for which an early-time flux excess has been observed, and the first in which an early excess is unlikely to be associated with shock-cooling.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

A Volume-Limited Sample of Ultracool Dwarfs. I. Construction, Space Density, and a Gap in the L/T Transition

We present a new volume-limited sample of L0-T8 dwarfs out to 25 pc defined entirely by parallaxes, using our recent measurements from UKIRT/WFCAM along with Gaia DR2 and literature parallaxes. With 369 members, our sample is the largest parallax-defined volume-limited sample of L and T dwarfs to date, yielding the most precise space densities for such objects. We find the local L0-T8 dwarf population includes $5.5\%\pm1.3\%$ young objects ($\lesssim$200 Myr) and $2.6\%\pm1.6\%$ subdwarfs, as expected from recent studies favoring representative ages $\lesssim$4 Gyr for the ultracool field population. This is also the first volume-limited sample to comprehensively map the transition from L to T dwarfs (spectral types $\approx$L8-T4). After removing binaries, we identify a previously unrecognized, statistically significant (>4.4$σ$) gap $\approx$0.5 mag wide in $(J-K)_{\rm MKO}$ colors in the L/T transition, i.e., a lack of such objects in our volume-limited sample, implying a rapid phase of atmospheric evolution. In contrast, the most successful models of the L/T transition to date $-$ the "hybrid" models of Saumon & Marley (2008) $-$ predict a pile-up of objects at the same colors where we find a deficit, demonstrating the challenge of modeling the atmospheres of cooling brown dwarfs. Our sample illustrates the insights to come from even larger parallax-selected samples from the upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) by the Vera Rubin Obsevatory.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

The Hawaii Infrared Parallax Program. IV. A Comprehensive Parallax Survey of L0-T8 dwarfs with UKIRT

We present parallaxes, proper motions, and $J$-band photometry for 348 L and T dwarfs measured using the wide-field near-infrared camera WFCAM on the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope. This is the largest single batch of infrared parallaxes for brown dwarfs to date. Our parallaxes have a median uncertainty of 3.5 mas, similar to most previous ground-based infrared parallax surveys. Our target list was designed to complete a volume-limited parallax sample of L0-T8 dwarfs out to 25 pc spanning declinations $-30^\circ$ to $+60^\circ$ (68% of the sky). We report the first parallaxes for 165 objects, and we improve on previous measurements for another 53 objects. Our targets include 104 objects (mostly early-L dwarfs) having $Gaia$ DR2 parallax measurements, with which our parallaxes are consistent. We include an extensive comparison of previous literature parallaxes for L and T dwarfs with both our results and $Gaia$ DR2 measurements, identifying systematic offsets for some previous surveys. Our parallaxes confirm that 14 objects previously identified as wide common proper motion companions to main-sequence stars have distances consistent with companionship. We also report new $J_\mathrm{MKO}$ photometry for our targets, including the first measurements for 193 of our targets and improvements over previously published $J_\mathrm{MKO}$ photometry for another 60 targets. Altogether, our parallaxes will enable the first population studies using a volume-limited sample spanning spectral types L0-T8 defined entirely by parallaxes.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

The Parallax of VHS J1256-1257 from CFHT and Pan-STARRS 1

We present new parallax measurements from the CFHT Infrared Parallax Program and the Pan-STARRS 3$π$ Steradian Survey for the young ($\approx150-300$ Myr) triple system VHS J125601.92$-$125723.9. This system is composed of a nearly equal-flux binary ("AB") and a wide, possibly planetary-mass companion ("b"). The system's published parallactic distance ($12.7\pm1.0$ pc) implies absolute magnitudes unusually faint compared to known young objects and is in tension with the spectrophotometric distance for the central binary ($17.2\pm2.6$ pc). Our CFHT and Pan-STARRS parallaxes are consistent, and the more precise CFHT result places VHS J1256-1257 at $22.2^{+1.1}_{-1.2}$ pc. Our new distance results in higher values for the companion's mass ($19\pm5$ M$_{\rm Jup}$) and temperature ($1240\pm50$ K), and also brings the absolute magnitudes of all three components into better agreement with known young objects.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

COol Companions ON Ultrawide orbiTS (COCONUTS). I. A High-Gravity T4 Benchmark around an Old White Dwarf and A Re-Examination of the Surface-Gravity Dependence of the L/T Transition

We present the first discovery from the COol Companions ON Ultrawide orbiTS (COCONUTS) program, a large-scale survey for wide-orbit planetary and substellar companions. We have discovered a co-moving system COCONUTS-1, composed of a hydrogen-dominated white dwarf (PSO J058.9855+45.4184; $d=31.5$ pc) and a T4 companion (PSO J058.9869+45.4296) at a $40.6''$ (1280 au) projected separation. We derive physical properties for COCONUTS-1B from (1) its near-infrared spectrum using cloudless Sonora atmospheric models, and (2) its luminosity and the white dwarf's age ($7.3_{-1.6}^{+2.8}$ Gyr) using Sonora evolutionary models. The two methods give consistent temperatures and radii, but atmospheric models infer a lower surface gravity and therefore an unphysically young age. Assuming evolutionary model parameters ($T_{\rm eff}=1255^{+6}_{-8}$ K, $\log{g}=5.44^{+0.02}_{-0.03}$ dex, $R=0.789^{+0.011}_{-0.005}$ R$_{\rm Jup}$), we find cloudless model atmospheres have brighter Y- and J-band fluxes than the data, suggesting condensate clouds have not fully dispersed around 1300 K. The W2 flux (4.6 $μ$m) of COCONUTS-1B is fainter than models, suggesting non-equilibrium mixing of CO. To investigate the gravity dependence of the L/T transition, we compile all 60 known L6-T6 benchmarks and derive a homogeneous set of temperatures, surface gravities, and masses. As is well-known, young, low-gravity late-L dwarfs have significantly fainter, redder near-infrared photometry and $\approx200-300$ K cooler temperatures than old, high-gravity objects. Our sample now reveals such gravity dependence becomes weaker for T dwarfs, with young objects having comparable near-infrared photometry and $\approx100$ K cooler temperatures compared to old objects. Finally, we find that young objects have a larger amplitude J-band brightening than old objects, and also brighten at H band as they cross the L/T transition.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Pan-STARRS PSF-Matching for Subtraction and Stacking

We present the implementation and use of algorithms for matching point-spread functions (PSFs) within the Pan-STARRS Image Processing Pipeline (IPP). PSF-matching is an essential part of the IPP for the detection of supernovae and asteroids, but it is also used to homogenize the PSF of inputs to stacks, resulting in improved photometric precision compared to regular coaddition, especially in data with a high masked fraction. We report our experience in constructing and operating the image subtraction pipeline, and make recommendations about particular basis functions for constructing the PSF-matching convolution kernel, determining a suitable kernel, parallelisation and quality metrics. We introduce a method for reliably tracking the noise in an image throughout the pipeline, using the combination of a variance map and a `covariance pseudo-matrix'. We demonstrate these algorithms with examples from both simulations and actual data from the Pan-STARRS1 telescope.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

The Pan-STARRS Data Processing System

The Pan-STARRS Data Processing System is responsible for the steps needed to downloaded, archive, and process all images obtained by the Pan-STARRS telescopes, including real-time detection of transient sources such as supernovae and moving objects including potentially hazardous asteroids. With a nightly data volume of up to 4 terabytes and an archive of over 4 petabytes of raw imagery, Pan-STARRS is solidly in the realm of Big Data astronomy. The full data processing system consists of several subsystems covering the wide range of necessary capabilities. This article describes the Image Processing Pipeline and its connections to both the summit data systems and the outward-facing systems downstream. The latter include the Moving Object Processing System (MOPS) & the public database: the Published Science Products Subsystem (PSPS).

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

Pan-STARRS Pixel Analysis : Source Detection and Characterization

Over 3 billion astronomical objects have been detected in the more than 22 million orthogonal transfer CCD images obtained as part of the Pan-STARRS1 $3π$ survey. Over 85 billion instances of those objects have been automatically detected and characterized by the Pan-STARRS Image Processing Pipeline photometry software, psphot. This fast, automatic, and reliable software was developed for the Pan-STARRS project, but is easily adaptable to images from other telescopes. We describe the analysis of the astronomical objects by psphot in general as well as for the specific case of the 3rd processing version used for the first two public releases of the Pan-STARRS $3π$ survey data, DR1 & DR2.

astro-ph.IM↗