arXiv subjects

Jianfeng Tian

Publications and source records attributed to Jianfeng Tian.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

SN 2024abfl: A Low-Luminosity Type IIP Supernova in NGC 2146 from a Low-Mass Red Supergiant Progenitor

Type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP) exhibit a significant diversity in their explosion properties, yet the physical mechanisms driving this diversity remain unknown. In this work, we present photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2024abfl, a SN IIP in NGC 2146 with a directly detected red supergiant (RSG) progenitor. We find it has a low plateau luminosity ($M_V \sim -15$ mag) and a relatively long plateau length ($\sim 126.5$ days). By fitting a semi-analytical model, we estimated a $^{56}$Ni mass of $\sim 0.009 M_\odot$, an initial kinetic energy of $\sim 0.42$ foe, an initial thermal energy of $\sim 0.03$ foe and an ejecta mass of $\sim 8.3 M_\odot$. The spectral evolution of SN 2024abfl is similar to those of other SNe IIP, except for much lower ejecta velocities at similar epochs. At later epochs, we find a relatively high-velocity H$α$ absorption feature at $\sim -4000$ km s$^{-1}$, possibly due to a fast-moving plume of matter in the inner ejecta, and two emission features at $\pm 2000$ km s$^{-1}$, possibly caused by CSM interaction. We estimate the progenitor mass to be $\le 15 M_\odot$ based on nebular spectra. We conclude that SN 2024abfl is a low-luminosity SN IIP originating from a low-mass RSG progenitor.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

StarWhisper Telescope: An AI framework for automating end-to-end astronomical observations

The exponential growth of large-scale telescope arrays has boosted time-domain astronomy development but introduced operational bottlenecks, including labor-intensive observation planning, data processing, and real-time decision-making. Here we present the StarWhisper Telescope system, an AI agent framework automating end-to-end astronomical observations for surveys like the Nearby Galaxy Supernovae Survey. By integrating large language models with specialized function calls and modular workflows, StarWhisper Telescope autonomously generates site-specific observation lists, executes real-time image analysis via pipelines, and dynamically triggers follow-up proposals upon transient detection. The system reduces human intervention through automated observation planning, telescope controlling and data processing, while enabling seamless collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers. Deployed across Nearby Galaxy Supernovae Survey's network of 10 amateur telescopes, the StarWhisper Telescope has detected transients with promising response times relative to existing surveys. Furthermore, StarWhisper Telescope's scalable agent architecture provides a blueprint for future facilities like the Global Open Transient Telescope Array, where AI-driven autonomy will be critical for managing 60 telescopes.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

The Mini-SiTian Array: Design and application of Master Control System

The SiTian Project represents a groundbreaking initiative in astronomy, aiming to deploy a global network of telescopes, each with a 1-meter aperture, for comprehensive time-domain sky surveys. The network's innovative architecture features multiple observational nodes, each comprising three strategically aligned telescopes equipped with filters. This design enables three-color (g, r, i) channel imaging within each node, facilitating precise and coordinated observations. As a pathfinder to the full-scale project, the Mini-SiTian Project serves as the scientific and technological validation platform, utilizing three 30-centimeter aperture telescopes to validate the methodologies and technologies planned for the broader SiTian network. This paper focuses on the development and implementation of the Master Control System (MCS),and the central command hub for the Mini-SiTian array. The MCS is designed to facilitate seamless communication with the SiTian Brain, the project's central processing and decision-making unit, while ensuring accurate task allocation, real-time status monitoring, and optimized observational workflows. The system adopts a robust architecture that separates front-end and back-end functionalities.A key innovation of the MCS is its ability to dynamically adjust observation plans in response to transient source alerts, enabling rapid and coordinated scans of target sky regions...(abridged)

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

A fast photometric image alignment algorithm with row and column means

This paper introduces an astronomical image alignment algorithm. This algorithm uses the means of the rows and columns of the original image for alignment, and finds the optimal offset corresponding to the maximum similarity by comparing different offsets between images. The similarity is evaluated by the standard deviation of the quotient divided by the means. This paper also discusses the theoretical feasibility of this algorithm. Through practical testing, it has been confirmed that the algorithm is fast and robust.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

Physical parameter study of eight W Ursae Majoris-type contact binaries in NGC 188

We used the newly commissioned 50 cm Binocular Network (50BiN) telescope at Qinghai Station of Purple Mountain Observatory (Chinese Academy of Sciences) to observe the old open cluster NGC 188 in V and R as part of a search for variable objects. Our time-series data span a total of 36 days. Radial velocity and proper-motion selection resulted in a sample of 532 genuine cluster members. Isochrone fitting was applied to the cleaned cluster sequence, yielding a distance modulus of (m - M)0V = 11.35 \pm 0.10 mag and a total foreground reddening of E(V - R) = 0.062 \pm 0.002 mag. Light-curve solutions were obtained for eight W Ursae Majoris eclipsing-binary systems (W UMas) and their orbital parameters were estimated. Using the latter parameters, we estimate a distance to the W UMas which is independent of the host cluster's physical properties. Based on combined fits to six of the W UMas (EP Cep, EQ Cep, ES Cep, V369 Cep, and--for the first time--V370 Cep and V782 Cep), we obtain an average distance modulus of (m - M)0V = 11.31 \pm 0.08 mag, which is comparable with that resulting from our isochrone fits. These six W UMas exhibit an obvious period-luminosity relation. We derive more accurate physical parameters for the W UMa systems and discuss their initial masses and ages. The former show that these W UMa systems have likely undergone angular-momentum evolution within a convective envelope (W-type evolution). The ages of the W UMa systems agree well with the cluster's age.

astro-ph.SR↗