arXiv subjects

Imke de Pater

Publications and source records attributed to Imke de Pater.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Ammonia Abundance Derived from Juno MWR and VLA Observations of Jupiter

The vertical distribution of trace gases in planetary atmospheres can be obtained with observations of the atmosphere's thermal emission. Inverting radio observations to recover the atmospheric structure, however, is non-trivial, and the solutions are degenerate. We propose a modeling framework to prescribe a vertical distribution of trace gases that combines a thermo-chemical equilibrium model {based on a vertical temperature structure and compare these results to models where ammonia can vary between pre-defined pressure nodes}. To this means we retrieve nadir brightness temperatures and limb-darkening parameters, together with their uncertainties, from the Juno Microwave Radiometer (MWR). We then apply this framework to MWR observations during Juno's first year of operation (Perijove passes 1 - 12) and to longitudinally-averaged latitude scans taken with the upgraded Very Large Array (VLA) (de Pater 2016,2019a). We use the model to constrain the distribution of ammonia between -60$^{\circ}$ and 60$^{\circ}$ latitude and down to 100 bar. We constrain the ammonia abundance to be $340.5^{+34.8}_{-21.2}$ ppm ($2.30^{+0.24}_{-0.14} \times$ solar abundance), and find a depletion of ammonia down to a depth of $\sim$ 20 bar, which supports the existence of processes that deplete the atmosphere below the ammonia and water cloud layers. At the equator we find an increase of ammonia with altitude, while the zones and belts in the mid-latitudes can be traced down to levels where the atmosphere is well-mixed. The latitudinal variation in the ammonia abundance appears to be opposite to that shown at higher altitudes, which supports the existence of a stacked-cell circulation model.

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arXiv2022

Design of SCALES: A 2-5 Micron Coronagraphic Integral Field Spectrograph for Keck Observatory

We present the design of SCALES (Slicer Combined with Array of Lenslets for Exoplanet Spectroscopy) a new 2-5 micron coronagraphic integral field spectrograph under construction for Keck Observatory. SCALES enables low-resolution (R~50) spectroscopy, as well as medium-resolution (R~4,000) spectroscopy with the goal of discovering and characterizing cold exoplanets that are brightest in the thermal infrared. Additionally, SCALES has a 12x12" field-of-view imager that will be used for general adaptive optics science at Keck. We present SCALES's specifications, its science case, its overall design, and simulations of its expected performance. Additionally, we present progress on procuring, fabricating and testing long lead-time components.

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arXiv2022

Searching for broadband pulsed beacons from 1883 stars using neural networks

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence at radio frequencies has largely been focused on continuous-wave narrowband signals. We demonstrate that broadband pulsed beacons are energetically efficient compared to narrowband beacons over longer operational timescales. Here, we report the first extensive survey searching for such broadband pulsed beacons towards 1883 stars as a part of the Breakthrough Listen's search for advanced intelligent life. We conducted 233 hours of deep observations across 4 to 8 GHz using the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope and searched for three different classes of signals with artificial (or negative) dispersion. We report a detailed search -- leveraging a convolutional neural network classifier on high-performance GPUs -- deployed for the very first time in a large-scale search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligence. Due to the absence of any signal-of-interest from our survey, we place a constraint on the existence of broadband pulsed beacons in our solar neighborhood: $\lesssim$1 in 1000 stars have transmitter power-densities $\gtrsim$10$^5$ W/Hz repeating $\leq$500 seconds at these frequencies.

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arXiv2022

Setigen: Simulating Radio Technosignatures for SETI

The goal of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is the detection of non-human technosignatures, such as technology-produced emission in radio observations. While many have speculated about the character of such technosignatures, radio SETI fundamentally involves searching for signals that not only have never been detected, but also have a vast range of potential morphologies. Given that we have not yet detected a radio SETI signal, we must make assumptions about their form to develop search algorithms. The lack of positive detections also makes it difficult to test these algorithms' inherent efficacy. To address these challenges, we present Setigen, a Python-based, open-source library for heuristic-based signal synthesis and injection for both spectrograms (dynamic spectra) and raw voltage data. Setigen facilitates the production of synthetic radio observations, interfaces with standard data products used extensively by the Breakthrough Listen project (BL), and focuses on providing a physically-motivated synthesis framework compatible with real observational data and associated search methods. We discuss the core routines of Setigen and present existing and future use cases in the development and evaluation of SETI search algorithms.

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arXiv2022

Microphysics of Water Clouds in the Atmospheres of Y Dwarfs and Temperate Giant Planets

Water clouds are expected to form on Y dwarfs and giant planets with equilibrium temperatures near or below that of Earth, drastically altering their atmospheric compositions and their albedos and thermal emission spectra. Here we use the 1D Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA) to investigate the microphysics of water clouds on cool substellar worlds to constrain their typical particle sizes and vertical extent, taking into consideration nucleation and condensation, which have not been considered in detail for water clouds in H/He atmospheres. We compute a small grid of Y dwarf and temperate giant exoplanet atmosphere models with water clouds forming through homogeneous nucleation and heterogeneous nucleation on cloud condensation nuclei composed of meteoritic dust, organic photochemical hazes, and upwelled potassium chloride cloud particles. We present comparisons with the Ackerman & Marley parameterization of cloud physics to extract the optimal sedimentation efficiency parameter (f$_{sed}$) using Virga. We find that no Virga model replicates the CARMA water clouds exactly and that a transition in f$_{sed}$ occurs from the base of the cloud to the cloud top. Furthermore, we generate simulated thermal emission and geometric albedo spectra and find large, wavelength-dependent differences between the CARMA and Virga models, with different gas absorption bands reacting differently to the different cloud distributions and particularly large differences in the M band. Therefore, constraining the vertically-dependent properties of water clouds will be essential to estimating the gas abundances in these atmospheres.

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arXiv2022

Sub-Seasonal Variation in Neptune's Mid-Infrared Emission

We present an analysis of all currently available ground-based imaging of Neptune in the mid-infrared. Dating between 2003 and 2020, the images reveal changes in Neptune's mid-infrared ($\sim 8-25μ$m) emission over time in the years surrounding Neptune's 2005 southern summer solstice. Images sensitive to stratospheric ethane ($\sim12μ$m), methane ($\sim8μ$m), and CH$_3$D ($\sim9μ$m) display significant sub-seasonal temporal variation on regional and global scales. Comparison with H$_2$ S(1) hydrogen-quadrupole ($\sim17.035μ$m) spectra suggests these changes are primarily related to stratospheric temperature changes. The stratosphere appears to have cooled between 2003 and 2009 across multiple filtered wavelengths, followed by a dramatic warming of the south pole between 2018 and 2020. Conversely, upper-tropospheric temperatures -- inferred from $\sim 17-25$-micron imaging -- appear invariant during this period, except for the south pole, which appeared warmest between 2003 and 2006. We discuss the observed variability in the context of seasonal forcing, tropospheric meteorology, and the solar cycle. Collectively, these data provide the strongest evidence to date that processes produce sub-seasonal variation on both global and regional scales in Neptune's stratosphere.

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arXiv2021

Resolving Io's Volcanoes from a Mutual Event Observation at the Large Binocular Telescope

Unraveling the geological processes ongoing at Io's numerous sites of active volcanism requires high spatial resolution to, for example, measure the areal coverage of lava flows or identify the presence of multiple emitting regions within a single volcanic center. In de Kleer et al. (2017) we described observations with the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) during an occultation of Io by Europa at ~6:17 UT on 2015 March 08, and presented a map of the temperature distribution within Loki Patera derived from these data. Here we present emission maps of three other volcanic centers derived from the same observation: Pillan Patera, Kurdalagon Patera, and the vicinity of Ulgen Patera/PV59/N Lerna Regio. The emission is localized by the light curves and resolved into multiple distinct emitting regions in two of the cases. Both Pillan and Kurdalagon Paterae had undergone eruptions in the months prior to our observations, and the location and intensity of the emission is interpreted in the context of the temporal evolution of these eruptions observed from other facilities. The emission from Kurdalagon Patera is resolved into two distinct emitting regions separated by only a few degrees in latitude that were unresolved by Keck observations from the same month.

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arXiv2021

No evidence of phosphine in the atmosphere of Venus by independent analyses

The detection of phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of Venus has been recently reported based on millimeter-wave radio observations (Greaves et al. 2020), and its re-analyses (Greaves et al. 2021a/b). In this Matters Arising we perform an independent reanalysis, identifying several issues in the interpretation of the spectroscopic data. As a result, we determine sensitive upper-limits for PH3 in Venus' atmosphere (>75 km, above the cloud decks) that are discrepant with the findings in G2020 and G2021a/b. The measurements target the fundamental first rotational transition of PH3 (J=1-0) at 266.944513 GHz, which was observed with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in June 2017 and with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in March 2019. This line's center is near the SO2 (J=309,21-318,24) transition at 266.943329 GHz (only 1.3 km/s away from the PH3 line) which represents a potential source of contamination. The JCMT and ALMA data, as presented in G2020, are at spectral resolutions comparable to the frequency separation of the two lines. Moreover, the spectral features identified are several km/s in width, and therefore do not permit distinct spectroscopic separation of the candidate spectral lines of PH3 and SO2. We present the radiative transfer modelling we have performed and then discuss the ALMA and JCMT analyses in turn.

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arXiv2021

Ganymede's Surface Properties from Millimeter and Infrared Thermal Emission

We present thermal observations of Ganymede from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in 2016-2019 at a spatial resolution of 300-900 km (0.1-0.2'' angular resolution) and frequencies of 97.5, 233, and 343.5 GHz (wavelengths of 3, 1.3, and 0.87 mm); the observations collectively covered all Ganymede longitudes. We determine the global thermophysical properties using a thermal model that considers subsurface emission and depth- and temperature-dependent thermophysical and dielectric properties, in combination with a retrieval algorithm. The data are sensitive to emission from the upper $\sim$0.5 meter of the surface, and we find a millimeter emissivity of 0.75-0.78 and (sub)surface porosities of 10-40%, corresponding to effective thermal inertias of 400-800 J m^{-2} K^{-1} s^{-1/2}. Combined with past infrared results, as well as modeling presented here of a previously-unpublished Galileo PPR nighttime infrared observation, the multi-wavelength constraints are consistent with a compaction profile whereby the porosity drops from ~85% at the surface to 10{+30/-10}% at depth over a compaction length scale of tens of cm. We present maps of temperature residuals from the best-fit global models which indicate localized variations in thermal surface properties at some (but not all) dark terrains and at impact craters, which appear 5-8 K colder than the model. Equatorial regions are warmer than predicted by the model, in particular near the centers of the leading and trailing hemispheres, while the mid-latitudes (~30-60 degrees) are generally colder than predicted; these trends are suggestive of an exogenic origin.

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arXiv2021

The Breakthrough Listen Search For Intelligent Life Near the Galactic Center I

A line-of-sight towards the Galactic Center (GC) offers the largest number of potentially habitable systems of any direction in the sky. The Breakthrough Listen program is undertaking the most sensitive and deepest targeted SETI surveys towards the GC. Here, we outline our observing strategies with Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and Parkes telescope to conduct 600 hours of deep observations across 0.7--93 GHz. We report preliminary results from our survey for ETI beacons across 1--8 GHz with 7.0 and 11.2 hours of observations with Parkes and GBT, respectively. With our narrowband drifting signal search, we were able to place meaningful constraints on ETI transmitters across 1--4 GHz and 3.9--8 GHz with EIRP limits of $\geq$4$\times$10$^{18}$ W among 60 million stars and $\geq$5$\times$10$^{17}$ W among half a million stars, respectively. For the first time, we were able to constrain the existence of artificially dispersed transient signals across 3.9--8 GHz with EIRP $\geq$1$\times$10$^{14}$ W/Hz with a repetition period $\leq$4.3 hours. We also searched our 11.2 hours of deep observations of the GC and its surrounding region for Fast Radio Burst-like magnetars with the DM up to 5000 pc cm$^{-3}$ with maximum pulse widths up to 90 ms at 6 GHz. We detected several hundred transient bursts from SGR J1745$-$2900, but did not detect any new transient burst with the peak luminosity limit across our observed band of $\geq$10$^{31}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and burst-rate of $\geq$0.23 burst-hr$^{-1}$. These limits are comparable to bright transient emission seen from other Galactic radio-loud magnetars, constraining their presence at the GC.

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arXiv2021

Longitudinal Variations in the Stratosphere of Uranus from the Spitzer Infrared Spectrometer

NASA's Spitzer Infrared Spectrometer (IRS) acquired mid-infrared (5-37 microns) disc-averaged spectra of Uranus very near to its equinox in December 2007. A mean spectrum was constructed from observations of multiple central meridian longitudes, spaced equally around the planet, which has provided the opportunity for the most comprehensive globally-averaged characterisation of Uranus' temperature and composition ever obtained (Orton et al., 2014 a [arXiv:1407.2120], b [arXiv:1407.2118]). In this work we analyse the disc-averaged spectra at four separate central meridian longitudes to reveal significant longitudinal variability in thermal emission occurring in Uranus' stratosphere during the 2007 equinox. We detect a variability of up to 15% at wavelengths sensitive to stratospheric methane, ethane and acetylene at the ~0.1-mbar level. The tropospheric hydrogen-helium continuum and deuterated methane absorption exhibit a negligible variation (less than 2%), constraining the phenomenon to the stratosphere. Building on the forward-modelling analysis of the global average study, we present full optimal estimation inversions (using the NEMESIS retrieval algorithm, Irwin et al., 2008 [10.1016/j.jqsrt.2007.11.006]) of the Uranus-2007 spectra at each longitude to distinguish between thermal and compositional variability. We found that the variations can be explained by a temperature change of less than 3 K in the stratosphere. Near-infrared observations from Keck II NIRC2 in December 2007 (Sromovsky et al., 2009 [arXiv:1503.01957], de Pater et al., 2011 [10.1016/j.icarus.2011.06.022]), and mid-infrared observations from VLT/VISIR in 2009 (Roman et al., 2020 [arXiv:1911.12830]), help to localise the potential sources to either large scale uplift or stratospheric wave phenomena.

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arXiv2021

Neptune's Spatial Brightness Temperature Variations from the VLA and ALMA

We present spatially resolved ($0.1'' - 1.0''$) radio maps of Neptune taken from the Very Large Array and Atacama Large Submillimeter/Millimeter Array between $2015-2017$. Combined, these observations probe from just below the main methane cloud deck at $\sim 1$ bar down to the NH$_4$SH cloud at $\sim50$ bar. Prominent latitudinal variations in the brightness temperature are seen across the disk. Depending on wavelength, the south polar region is $5-40$ K brighter than the mid-latitudes and northern equatorial region. We use radiative transfer modeling coupled to Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to retrieve H$_2$S, NH$_3$, and CH$_4$ abundance profiles across the disk, though only strong constraints can be made for H$_2$S. Below all cloud formation, the data are well fit by $53.8^{+18.9}_{-13.4}\times$ and $3.9^{+2.1}_{-3.1}\times$ protosolar enrichment in the H$_2$S and NH$_3$ abundances, respectively, assuming a dry adiabat. Models in which the radio-cold mid-latitudes and northern equatorial region are supersaturated in H$_2$S are statistically favored over models following strict thermochemical equilibrium. H$_2$S is more abundant at the equatorial region than at the poles, indicative of strong, persistent global circulation. Our results imply that Neptune's sulfur-to-nitrogen ratio exceeds unity as H$_2$S is more abundant than NH$_3$ in every retrieval. The absence of NH$_3$ above 50 bar can be explained either by partial dissolution of NH$_3$ in an ionic ocean at GPa pressures or by a planet formation scenario in which hydrated clathrates preferentially delivered sulfur rather than nitrogen onto planetesimals, or a combination of these hypotheses.

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arXiv2021

The Breakthrough Listen Search for Intelligent Life: MeerKAT Target Selection

New radio telescope arrays offer unique opportunities for large-scale commensal SETI surveys. Ethernet-based architectures are allowing multiple users to access telescope data simultaneously by means of multicast Ethernet subscriptions. Breakthrough Listen will take advantage of this by conducting a commensal SETI survey on the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. By subscribing to raw voltage data streams, Breakthrough Listen will be able to beamform commensally anywhere within the field of view during primary science observations. The survey will be conducted with unprecedented speed by forming and processing 64 coherent beams simultaneously, allowing the observation of several million objects within a few years. Both coherent and incoherent observing modes are planned. We present the list of desired sources for observation and explain how these sources were selected from the Gaia DR2 catalog. Given observations planned by MeerKAT's primary telescope users, we discuss their effects on the commensal survey and propose a commensal observing strategy in response. Finally, we outline our proposed approach towards observing one million nearby stars and analyse expected observing progress in the coming years.

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arXiv2021

High Spatial and Spectral Resolution Observations of the Forbidden 1.707 micron Rovibronic SO Emissions on Io: Evidence for Widespread Stealth Volcanism

We present observations obtained with the 10-m Keck telescopes of the forbidden SO rovibronic transition at 1.707 micron on Io while in eclipse. We show its spatial distribution at a resolution of ~0.12" and a spectral resolution of R ~2500, as well as disk-integrated spectra at a high spectral resolution (R~15,000). Both the spatial distribution and the spectral shape of the SO emission band vary considerably across Io and over time. In some cases the SO emissions either in the core or the wings of the emission band can be identified with volcanoes, but the largest areas of SO emissions usually do not coincide with known volcanoes. We suggest that the emissions are caused by a large number of stealth plumes, produced through the interaction of silicate melts with superheated SO2 vapor at depth. The spectra, in particular the elevated wing of the emission band near 1.69 micron, and their spatial distribution strongly suggest the presence of non-LTE processes in addition to the direct ejection of excited SO from the (stealth and other) volcanic vents.

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arXiv2021

Re-Analysis of Breakthrough Listen Observations of FRB 121102: Polarization Properties of Eight New Spectrally Narrow Bursts

We report polarization properties for eight narrowband bursts from FRB 121102 that have been re-detected in a high-frequency (4-8 GHz) Breakthrough Listen observation with the Green Bank Telescope, originally taken on 2017 August 26. The bursts were found to exhibit nearly 100% linear polarization, Faraday rotation measures (RM) bordering 9.3$\times$10$^4$ rad-m$^{-2}$, and stable polarization position angles (PA), all of which agree with burst properties previously reported for FRB 121102 at the same epoch. We confirm that these detections are indeed physical bursts with limited spectral occupancies and further support the use of sub-banded search techniques in FRB detection.

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arXiv2020

The search for radio emission from the exoplanetary systems 55 Cancri, $\upsilon$ Andromedae, and $τ$ Boötis using LOFAR beam-formed observations

Observing planetary auroral radio emission is the most promising method to detect exoplanetary magnetic fields, the knowledge of which will provide valuable insights into the planet's interior structure, atmospheric escape, and habitability. We present LOFAR-LBA circularly polarized beamformed observations of the exoplanetary systems 55 Cancri, $\upsilon$ Andromedae, and $τ$ Boötis. We tentatively detect circularly polarized bursty emission from the $τ$ Boötis system in the range 14-21 MHz with a flux density of $\sim$890 mJy and with a significance of $\sim$3$σ$. For this detection, no signal is seen in the OFF-beams, and we do not find any potential causes which might cause false positives. We also tentatively detect slowly variable circularly polarized emission from $τ$ Boötis in the range 21-30 MHz with a flux density of $\sim$400 mJy and with a statistical significance of $>$8$σ$. The slow emission is structured in the time-frequency plane and shows an excess in the ON-beam with respect to the two simultaneous OFF-beams. Close examination casts some doubts on the reality of the slowly varying signal. We discuss in detail all the arguments for and against an actual detection. Furthermore, a $\sim$2$σ$ marginal signal is found from the $\upsilon$ Andromedae system and no signal is detected from the 55 Cancri system. Assuming the detected signals are real, we discuss their potential origin. Their source probably is the $τ$ Bootis planetary system, and a possible explanation is radio emission from the exoplanet $τ$ Bootis b via the cyclotron maser mechanism. Assuming a planetary origin, we derived limits for the planetary polar surface magnetic field strength, finding values compatible with theoretical predictions. Further low-frequency observations are required to confirm this possible first detection of an exoplanetary radio signal. [Abridged]

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arXiv2020

Tropospheric Composition and Circulation of Uranus with ALMA and the VLA

We present ALMA and VLA spatial maps of the Uranian atmosphere taken between 2015 and 2018 at wavelengths from 1.3 mm to 10 cm, probing pressures from $\sim$1 to $\sim$50 bar at spatial resolutions from 0.1'' to 0.8''. Radiative transfer modeling was performed to determine the physical origin of the brightness variations across Uranus's disk. The radio-dark equator and midlatitudes of the planet (south of $\sim$50$^\circ$ N) are well fit by a deep H$_2$S mixing ratio of $8.7_{-1.5}^{+3.1}\times10^{-4}$ ($37_{-6}^{+13}\times$ Solar) and a deep NH$_3$ mixing ratio of $1.7_{-0.4}^{+0.7}\times10^{-4}$ ($1.4_{-0.3}^{+0.5}\times$ Solar), in good agreement with literature models of Uranus's disk-averaged spectrum. The north polar region is very bright at all frequencies northward of $\sim$50$^\circ$N, which we attribute to strong depletions extending down to the NH$_4$SH layer in both NH$_3$ and H$_2$S relative to the equatorial region; the model is consistent with an NH$_3$ abundance of $4.7_{-1.8}^{+2.1} \times 10^{-7}$ and an H$_2$S abundance of $<$$1.9\times10^{-7}$ between $\sim$20 and $\sim$50 bar. Combining this observed depletion in condensible molecules with methane-sensitive near-infrared observations from the literature suggests large-scale downwelling in the north polar vortex region from $\sim$0.1 to $\sim$50 bar. The highest-resolution maps reveal zonal radio-dark and radio-bright bands at 20$^\circ$S, 0$^\circ$, and 20$^\circ$N, as well as zonal banding within the north polar region. The difference in brightness is a factor of $\sim$10 less pronounced in these bands than the difference between the north pole and equator, and additional observations are required to determine the temperature, composition and vertical extent of these features.

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arXiv2020

Ice Giant Atmospheric Science

This white paper, written in support of NASA's 2023-2032 Planetary Decadal Survey, outlines 10 major questions that focus on the origin, evolution, and current processes that shape the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. Prioritizing these questions over the next decade will greatly improve our understanding of this unique class of planets, which have remained largely unexplored since the Voyager flybys. Studying the atmospheres of the Ice Giants will greatly inform our understanding of the origin and evolution of the solar system as a whole, in addition to the growing number of exoplanetary systems that contain Neptune-mass planets.

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