arXiv subjects

Goldy Ahuja

Publications and source records attributed to Goldy Ahuja.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Unveiling the Nature of C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS): A Multi-Technique Observational Approach

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is a non-periodic dynamically new Oort cloud comet that was discovered independently by Purple Mountain Observatory in China and Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescopes in South Africa. The comet passed perihelion at a distance of 0.39 AU on 27 September 2024. It was visible to the naked eye (the brightest since the comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)) and was dubbed the great comet of 2024. In this work, we investigate the nature of this comet, which is moving in a hyperbolic orbit (e > 1), by analysing its composition using various observational techniques and tracing its orbital evolution through high-precision N-body simulations.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

Broad-band temporal and spectral study of TeV blazar TXS 0518+211

We present a long-term broad-band temporal and spectral study of a TeV BL Lac source TXS 0518+211 by analyzing nearly 16 years (MJD 54682 -- 60670) of simultaneous optical, UV and X-ray light curves from \textit{Swift}-XRT/UVOT and gamma-ray light curves from \textit{Fermi}-LAT. Based on the availability of simultaneous multi-wavelength data and considering flux level as the depiction of AGN-jet activity we identified 11 epochs (named as Epoch-A to Epoch-K) and investigated temporal as well as spectral variability during these epochs to understand the emission properties in this source. The fractional variability analysis reveals that, in all epochs, X-ray light curve exhibits relatively high degree of variability in compared to the optical, UV and gamma-ray light curves. The flux-flux plots among different bands, in general, show weak to moderate correlation with Spearman correlation coefficient ranging from 0.29 to 0.58. Notably, during Epoch-I, we detect a possible orphan flare exhibiting increase in the X-ray flux level ($\sim$ 2.4 times of the total average flux) but with no corresponding counterpart seen in the optical, UV bands. In contrast, during Epoch-K, we detect a significant decrease in the X-ray flux but no corresponding decrease in optical, UV and gamma-ray bands. Overall, our study reveals several changes in the flux states and complex nature of jet dominated emission processes. We tested one-zone and two-zone leptonic scenarios and for most of the epochs, the latter one provides a better description of the broad-band emission in this TeV BL Lac source.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Effect of different Non-Gravitational accelerations on the trajectory of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Comet C/2025 N1 or 3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar object. It has passed perihelion on 2025 October 29, and is currently on a path to leave the solar system. During its outbound journey, it will pass close to Jupiter at a distance of 0.358 au. NASA JPL \textsc{Horizons} has updated the non-gravitational parameters of the comet based on the CO$_2$ sublimation model, where $g(r)= 1/r^2$. In this research note, we use the non-gravitational accelerations from \textsc{Horizons} together with symmetric and asymmetric H$_2$O sublimation models derived using \texttt{Find\_Orb} software. We calculate the resulting perijove distances and compare them with our earlier results at epoch JD 2460867.5.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

Wide-field Polarization Imaging and Numerical Modeling of the Coma and Tail of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)

Imaging polarimetry enables the spatially resolved investigation of cometary dust properties across different morphological structures. While cometary comae have been studied thoroughly in the pertinent literature, cometary tails have remained less explored. Comparing these regions can reveal differences in the size, structure, and composition of their dust. The goal of this study is to examine the size, structure and composition of the dust particles in the coma and in particular in the tail of the bright comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) and to infer possible differences. For this purpose, we rely on the method of telescopic wide-field polarimetric imaging of the comet in the visible to near-infrared domain in order to obtain the dependence of the degree of linear polarization (DoLP) of the coma and tail on the phase angle across a broad range. An off-the-shelf industrial grade polarization camera was used in combination with a telescope of short aperture ratio. These observations are complemented by T-matrix and Discrete Dipole Approximation modeling using the MSTM5 and DDSCAT software framework, respectively, for simulation of light scattering by dust particles of fractal agglomerate and agglomerate debris morphology. Our observations indicate that the coma exhibits a high maximum DoLP of 0.34, which is further exceeded by a factor of about two by the DoLP of the comet's tail. Our modeling results suggest a 50:50 olivine-carbon composition. The fraction of agglomerate debris was found to be 50% in the coma and possibly higher in the tail. The differences between coma and tail in the observed maximum DoLP and the phase angle at which it occurs can be explained by a predominance of particles with radii larger than 0.6 micrometer in the coma vs. smaller sub-micrometer particles close to the Rayleigh limit in the tail [...]

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arXiv2025

Dynamical simulation of the Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS

Comet 3I/ATLAS, also known as C/2025 N1, was discovered on 2025 July 1 UT by NASA Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS), with a v$_{\infty}$ $\sim$ 58 kms$^{-1}$. This is the fastest among the three interstellar objects discovered so far. In this work, we study the interaction of the 3I/ATLAS with Mars, pre-perihelion, and Jupiter post-perihelion. We also present the results of the dynamical simulations of the orbital evolution of the comet for a hundred years in the past and future. For our analysis, we have used REBOUND, an N-Body simulation package, to study these situations. We use the adaptive size mathematical integrator \textsc{Ias15}, with a 1-day time step for long-term integration, and a 1-hour time step to study the effect of the planets on this body during the close encounters. We have seen an effect of Jupiter on the orbital parameters of the comet, which affects its post-perijove trajectory significantly. The impact of Mars on this comet is minimal compared to the effect of Jupiter. This is consistent with the point that the comet moves well past Mars's Hill radius but very close to Jupiter's Hill radius at the respective close approaches. However, the effect of non-gravitational forces will alter the results. Since the non-gravitational forces are not yet known, we predict the variation of the orbital parameters considering a range of possible magnitudes of the non-gravitational acceleration.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

Long-term monitoring of a dynamically new comet C/2020 V2 (ZTF)

Comet C/2020 V2 (ZTF) is categorized as a dynamically new long-period comet, making its first approach to the inner Solar system. We have observed this comet for around 32 months (from January 2022 to July 2024) at heliocentric distances from 5.41 au (pre-perihelion) to 5.26 au (post-perihelion) through various telescopes, employing photometric (60 epochs) and spectroscopic techniques (5 epochs). Using these observations, we derived the production rates of different molecules such as CN$(0-0)$, C$_2(Δν=0)$, and C$_3$ and calculated the production rate ratios. The values of the ratios closest to the perihelion are found to be $\log$ (C$_2/$CN) $ = -0.04 \pm 0.03$ and $\log$ (C$_3/$CN) $ = -0.70 \pm 0.04$, which implies a typical carbon composition. The mean photometric broadband colours are found to be $B-V = 0.77\pm0.04$, $V-R = 0.43\pm0.04$, $R-I = 0.42\pm0.06$, and $B-R = 1.19\pm0.04$. The stability of the molecular production rate ratios and mean photometric broadband colours, pre- and post-perihelion, implies a homogeneous composition. The mean reflectivity gradient for $B-V$ colour is $10.90 \pm 3.62$ $\%/1000$ Å; $V-R$ colour is $6.15 \pm 3.51$ $\%/1000$ Å; and for $R-I$ colour is $4.94 \pm 3.56$ $\%/1000$ Å which is similar to the mean value of the dynamically new comets. Additionally, using an asymmetric non-gravitational force model, we report the comet's nuclear radius to be $1.1 \pm 0.1$ km. Our results are expected to provide inputs to the selection of a potential dynamically new comet as a target for the Comet Interceptor mission.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Optical and X-ray Studies of the Be/X-ray Binary IGR J06074+2205

We present the results obtained from X-ray and optical analysis of the Be/X-ray binary IGR~J06074+2205, focusing on before, during, and after the X-ray outbursts in October and December 2023. The properties of the neutron star in the binary are investigated using NICER and NuSTAR observations during the X-ray outbursts. The pulse profiles across a broad energy range, are found to be strongly dependent on luminosity and energy, revealing the complex nature of the emitting region. An absorbed power-law can describe each NICER spectrum in the 1-7 keV band. The 3-79 keV NuSTAR spectrum can be well-described by a negative and positive power-law with an exponential cut-off model. Utilizing the MAXI/GSC long-term light curve, we estimate the probable orbital period to be 80 or 80/n (n=2,3,4) days. We investigate the evolution of the circumstellar disc around the Be star by using optical spectroscopic observations of the system between 2022 and 2024. We observe variable H$α$ and FeII emission lines with an increase in equivalent width, indicating the presence of a dynamic circumstellar disc. A distinct variation in the V/R value for H$α$ and FeII lines is also observed. The appearance of additional emission lines, such as HeI (5875.72 Å), HeI (6678 Å), and HeI (7065 Å), during the post-outburst observation in February 2024 suggests the growing of a larger or denser circumstellar disc. The disc continues to grow without any noticeable mass loss, even during the 2023 X-ray outbursts, which may lead to a future giant X-ray outburst.

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