arXiv subjects

F. Zamkotsian

Publications and source records attributed to F. Zamkotsian.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

Probing the use of spectroscopy to determine the meteoritic analogues of meteors

Determining the source regions of meteorites is one of the major goals of current research in planetary science. Whereas asteroid observations are currently unable to pinpoint the source regions of most meteorite classes, observations of meteors with camera networks and the subsequent recovery of the meteorite may help make progress on this question. The main caveat of such an approach, however, is that the recovery rate of meteorite falls is low, implying that the meteoritic analogues of at least 80% of the observed falls remain unknown. Aims: Spectroscopic observations of bolides may have the potential to mitigate this problem by classifying the incoming material. Methods: To probe the use of spectroscopy to determine the meteoritic analogues of bolides, we collected emission spectra in the visible range (320-880nm) of five meteorite types (H,L,LL,CM,eucrite) acquired in atmospheric entry-like conditions in a plasma wind tunnel at the University of Stuttgart (Germany). A detailed spectral analysis including line identification and mass ratio determinations (Mg/Fe,Na/Fe) was subsequently performed on all spectra. Results: Spectroscopy, via a simple line identification, allows us to distinguish the main meteorite classes (chondrites, achondrites and irons) but does not have the potential to distinguish for example an H from a CM chondrite. Conclusions: The source location within the main belt of the different meteorite classes (H, L, LL, CM, etc.) should continue to be investigated via fireball observation networks. Spectroscopy of incoming bolides only marginally helps precisely classify the incoming material (iron meteorites only). To reach a statistically significant sample of recovered meteorites along with accurate orbits (>100) within a reasonable time frame (10-20 years), the optimal solution may be the spatial extension of existing fireball observation networks.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2017

Investigation of faint galactic carbon stars from the first Byurakan spectral survey. III. Infrared characteristics

Infra-Red(IR) astronomical databases, namely, IRAS, 2MASS, WISE, and Spitzer, are used to analyze photometric data of 126 carbon stars whose spectra are visible in the First Byurakan Survey low-resolution spectral plates. Among these, six new objects, recently confirmed on the digitized FBS plates, are included. For three of them, moderate-resolution CCD optical spectra are also presented. In this work several IR color-color diagrams are studied. Early and late-type C stars are separated in the JHK Near-Infra-Red(NIR) color-color plots, as well as in the WISE W3-W4 versus W1-W2 diagram. Late N-type Asymptotic Giant Branch stars are redder in W1-W2, while early-types(CH and R giants) are redder in W3-W4 as expected. Objects with W2-W3 > 1.0 mag. show double-peaked spectral energy distribution, indicating the existence of the circumstellar envelopes around them. 26 N-type stars have IRAS Point Source Catalog(PSC) associations. For FBS 1812+455 IRAS Low-Resolution Spectra in the wavelength range 7.7 - 22.6micron and Spitzer Space Telescope Spectra in the range 5 - 38micro are presented clearly showing absorption features of C2H2(acetylene) molecule at 7.5 and 13.7micron , and the SiC(silicone carbide) emission at 11.3micron. The mass-loss rates for eight Mira-type variables are derived from the K-[12] color and from the pulsation periods. The reddest object among the targets is N-type C star FBS 2213+421, which belong to the group of the cold post-AGB R Coronae Borealis(R CrB) variables.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Improved achromatization of phase mask coronagraphs using colored apodization

For direct imaging of exoplanets, a stellar coronagraph helps to remove the image of an observed bright star by attenuating the diffraction effects caused by the telescope aperture of diameter D. The Dual Zone Phase Mask (DZPM) coronagraph constitutes a promising concept since it theoretically offers a small inner working angle (IWA \sim λ_0/D), good achromaticity and high starlight rejection, typically reaching a 1e6 contrast at 5 λ_0/D from the star over a spectral bandwidth Δλ/λ_0 of 25% (similar to H-band). This last value proves to be encouraging for broadband imaging of young and warm Jupiter-like planets. Contrast levels higher than 1e6 are however required for the observation of older and/or less massive companions over a finite spectral bandwidth. An achromatization improvement of the DZPM coronagraph is therefore mandatory to reach such performance. In its design, the DZPM coronagraph uses a grey (or achromatic) apodization. We propose to replace it by a colored apodization to increase the performance of this coronagraphic system over a large spectral range. This innovative concept, called Colored Apodizer Phase Mask (CAPM) coronagraph, is defined with some design parameters optimized to reach the best contrast in the exoplanet search area. Once this done, we study the performance of the CAPM coronagraph in the presence of different errors to evaluate the sensitivity of our concept. A 2.5 mag contrast gain is estimated from the performance provided by the CAPM coronagraph with respect to that of the DZPM coronagraph. A 2.2e-8 intensity level at 5 λ_0/D separation is then theoretically achieved with the CAPM coronagraph in the presence of a clear circular aperture and a 25% bandwidth. In addition, our studies show that our concept is less sensitive to low than high-order aberrations for a given value of rms wavefront errors.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Applications of DMDs for astrophysical research

A long-standing problem of astrophysical research is how to simultaneously obtain spectra of thousands of sources randomly positioned in the field of view of a telescope. Digital Micromirror Devices, used as optical switches, provide a most powerful solution allowing to design a new generation of instruments with unprecedented capabilities. We illustrate the key factors (opto-mechanical, cryo-thermal, cosmic radiation environment,...) that constrain the design of DMD-based multi-object spectrographs, with particular emphasis on the IR spectroscopic channel onboard the EUCLID mission, currently considered by the European Space Agency for a 2017 launch date.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2001

The FALCON concept: multi-object spectroscopy combined with MCAO in near-IR

A large fraction of the present-day stellar mass was formed between z=0.5 and z~3 and our understanding of the formation mechanisms at work at these epochs requires both high spatial and high spectral resolution: one shall simultaneously} obtain images of objects with typical sizes as small as 1-2kpc(~0''.1), while achieving 20-50 km/s (R >= 5000) spectral resolution. The obvious instrumental solution to adopt in order to tackle the science goal is therefore a combination of multi-object 3D spectrograph with multi-conjugate adaptive optics in large fields. A partial, but still competitive correction shall be prefered, over a much wider field of view. This can be done by estimating the turbulent volume from sets of natural guide stars, by optimizing the correction to several and discrete small areas of few arcsec2 selected in a large field (Nasmyth field of 25 arcmin) and by correcting up to the 6th, and eventually, up to the 60th Zernike modes. Simulations on real extragalactic fields, show that for most sources (>80%), the recovered resolution could reach 0".15-0".25 in the J and H bands. Detection of point-like objects is improved by factors from 3 to >10, when compared with an instrument without adaptive correction. The proposed instrument concept, FALCON, is equiped with deployable mini-integral field units (IFUs), achieving spectral resolutions between R=5000 and 20000. Its multiplex capability, combined with high spatial and spectral resolution characteristics, is a natural ground based complement to the next generation of space telescopes.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Multi-Object Spectroscopy in Space

From the scientific objectives of the Next Generation Space Telescope, this paper tries to constrain the design of the NGST Multi-Object Spectrograph. Several technical alternatives are presented that could address the requirements of the Design Reference Mission.

astro-ph↗