arXiv subjects

Jack Piotrowski

Publications and source records attributed to Jack Piotrowski.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The SIRMOS mission concept: a space-based near-IR spectroscopic survey of 100 million galaxies in the Euclid Wide Survey footprint

SIRMOS is a mission concept for a future NASA Astrophysics Explorer opportunity that aims to revolutionize our understanding of the universe by mapping the large-scale structure of galaxies in unprecedented breadth and detail to explore cosmic origins and evolution. Specifically, the primary science goals of SIRMOS are to discover how cosmic inflation seeded large-scale structure, reveal the nature of the accelerating expansion of the universe, and measure the sum of neutrino masses to exceptionally high precision. Its secondary science goals include determining how environment shapes galaxy evolution at cosmic noon and beyond, and probing the Milky Way's dust-enshrouded regions, reaching the far side of our Galaxy. To accomplish its transformative science goals, SIRMOS executes a 3-year cosmology survey over the Euclid footprint of ~14,000 deg$^2$, obtaining slit spectra for ~100 million galaxies at 1<z<4. SIRMOS is the first space mission designed specifically to leverage Euclid's wide near-infrared (IR) imaging survey for target selection and employs a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to acquire up to 4,000 simultaneous spectra over a wide 0.9 deg$^2$ field of view. The instrument's excellent spectral resolution of $R=1300$ and continuous wavelength coverage from 1.25--2.5 $μ$m capture the redshifts of distant galaxies with no gaps, reducing systematic biases to achieve ground-breaking science.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Optimal Photon Counting with Fast, Low Noise Astronomical Imagers

Measuring rapid astrophysical phenomena requires many short exposures, which suffer from repeated read noise. A variety of recent technologies are achieving sub-electron read noise, which enable rapid time-domain studies of faint sources. These data can be analyzed with traditional methods, but the ability to resolve individual electrons enables a new class of more precise, photon-counting techniques. We present a photon-counting method for sub-electron read noise detectors which delivers optimal statistical uncertainties. We focus on Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) detectors and demonstrate our method on optical data collected by CMOS instrument "proto-Lightspeed," recently commissioned at the Magellan Clay telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. The method can be applied to non-CMOS detectors as well, such as skipper CCDs and linear-mode avalanche photodiodes. The method substantially improves analysis of faint sources, increasing signal to noise ratios by up to $\sim 130\%$, which would require 5.3$\times$ more observing time to accomplish with data alone. As an example we show detections of four normal rotation-powered pulsars with confirmed optical pulses, achieved in under two hours of total exposure. We provide the lightspeedpy pipeline for reducing proto-Lightspeed data with both photon counting and standard techniques.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

An eclipsing 8.56 minute orbital period mass-transferring binary

We report the discovery of ATLAS J101342.5-451656.8 (hereafter ATLAS J1013-4516), an 8.56 minute orbital period mass transferring AM Canum Venaticorum binary with mean Gaia magnitude G=19.51. The system was identified via periodic variability in Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System light curves of Gaia white dwarf candidates. Follow-up spectroscopy with the Large Lenslet Array Magellan Spectrograph reveals a helium dominated accretion disk, while high speed ULTRACAM photometry shows pronounced primary and secondary eclipses. We construct a decade long orbital timing baseline using ATLAS and Gaia survey photometry together with high speed observations from ULTRACAM on the NTT and proto Lightspeed on the Magellan Clay telescope. From this baseline we measure an orbital period derivative Pdot = -1.60 +/- 0.07 x 10^-12 seconds per second. Interpreted in the context of stable mass transfer, the magnitude and sign of Pdot indicate orbital evolution governed by the interplay between gravitational wave driven angular momentum losses and mass transfer, directly probing the donor star structural response to mass loss. Assuming angular momentum loss dominated by gravitational radiation, we constrain the component masses and infer the characteristic gravitational wave strain. We predict a four year Laser Interferometer Space Antenna signal to noise ratio greater than 10, establishing ATLAS J1013-4516 as a strong prospective space based gravitational wave source that probes long term orbital evolution in the mass transferring regime.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Illuminating the Physics of Cosmic Origin and Evolution: A UK Space Frontiers 2035 White Paper

Understanding the Universe's origins and evolution remains one of the most fundamental challenges in modern cosmology. This white paper explores three key science priorities in this field: unravelling the physics of cosmic inflation, investigating the accelerating expansion of the Universe, and precisely measuring the sum of the neutrino masses. Achieving these goals requires a dedicated survey to map the large-scale structure at high redshift in unprecedented detail. We describe how this can be achieved through a mission concept called SIRMOS, providing a high-throughput, highly multiplexed spectroscopic capability to obtain accurate redshifts for over 100 million galaxies over a wide sky area. Such a survey would leverage the deepest existing wide-area photometric catalogues for targeting, with spectra offering continuous 1.25-2.5~$μ$m wavelength coverage at moderate resolution, allowing precise redshift measurements in the $1<z<4$ range with minimal bias. We outline the scientific opportunities this presents. Recent years have seen significant advances in instrumentation, including digital micromirror devices, complex telescope mirrors, large detector arrays, and data processing pipelines. While these technologies have been demonstrated in terrestrial applications, such a survey is a unique opportunity to apply these proven capabilities in space to address fundamental questions in cosmology. Participation in such a mission will simultaneously deliver a compelling science case, help align UK Space Agency and STFC strategies, demonstrate the UK's growing capability in end-to-end space missions, and strengthen the national space economy through high-value industrial participation.

astro-ph.IM↗