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K. Paterson

Publications and source records attributed to K. Paterson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Euclid: An automated system to match Rubin transient alerts to Euclid observations

The Vera C. Rubin observatory is expected to produce 10 million transient alerts per night in ugrizy filters, whilst Euclid is a visible to near-infrared space telescope engaged in a wide field survey. We present a prototype system to automatically match the transient alerts from Rubin to Euclid observations. The system produces joint light-curves containing both visible and near-infrared photometry, and joint image cutouts. Using Zwicky Transient Facility alerts as a proxy for Rubin, we demonstrate the system in use in cases where Euclid did and did not detect the transient and highlight the value that can be added in each case. For transients detected by Euclid these benefits include identifying the supernovae (SNe) in observations taken prior to ground-based detection, thereby better constraining the explosion time, such as SN 2024pvw detected ~3 d prior to ground based detections. In cases where Euclid did not detect the transient, we demonstrate the benefit of adding Euclid observations to improve host morphology measurements and associations.

astro-ph.IM

Euclid VI. NISP-P optical ghosts

The Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) onboard Euclid includes several optical elements in its path, which introduce artefacts into the data from non-nominal light paths. To ensure uncontaminated source photometry, these artefacts must be accurately accounted for. This paper focuses on two specific optical features in NISP's photometric data (NISP-P): ghosts caused by the telescope's dichroic beamsplitter, and the bandpass filters within the NISP fore-optics. Both ghost types exhibit a characteristic morphology and are offset from the originating stars. The offsets are well modelled using 2D polynomials, with only stars brighter than approximately 10 magnitudes in each filter producing significant ghost contributions. The masking radii for these ghosts depend on both the source-star brightness and the filter wavelength, ranging from 20 to 40 pixels. We present the final relations and models used in the near-infrared (NIR) data pipeline to mask these ghosts for Euclid's Quick Data Release (Q1).

astro-ph.IM

Euclid: The potential of slitless infrared spectroscopy: A z=5.4 quasar and new ultracool dwarfs

We demonstrate the potential of Euclid's slitless spectroscopy to discover high-redshift (z>5) quasars and their main photometric contaminant, ultracool dwarfs. Sensitive infrared spectroscopy from space is able to efficiently identify both populations, as demonstrated by Euclid Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer Red Grism (NISP RGE) spectra of the newly discovered z=5.404 quasar EUCL J181530.01+652054.0, as well as several ultracool dwarfs in the Euclid Deep Field North and the Euclid Early Release Observation field Abell 2764. The ultracool dwarfs were identified by cross-correlating their spectra with templates. The quasar was identified by its strong and broad CIII] and MgII emission lines in the NISP RGE 1206-1892 nm spectrum, and confirmed through optical spectroscopy from the Large Binocular Telescope. The NISP Blue Grism (NISP BGE) 926-1366 nm spectrum confirms CIV and CIII] emission. NISP RGE can find bright quasars at z~5.5 and z>7, redshift ranges that are challenging for photometric selection due to contamination from ultracool dwarfs. EUCL J181530.01+652054.0 is a high-excitation, broad absorption line quasar detected at 144 MHz by the LOw-Frequency Array (L144=4e25 W/Hz). The quasar has a bolometric luminosity of 3e12 Lsun and is powered by a 3.4e9 Msun black hole. The discovery of this bright quasar is noteworthy as fewer than one such object was expected in the ~20 deg2 surveyed. This finding highlights the potential and effectiveness of NISP spectroscopy in identifying rare, luminous high-redshift quasars, previewing the census of these sources that Euclid's slitless spectroscopy will deliver over about 14,000 deg2 of the sky.

astro-ph.GA

Performance of the image persistence model for Euclid infrared detectors

Large-format infrared detectors are at the heart of major ground and space-based astronomical instruments, and the HgCdTe HxRG is the most widely used. The Near Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) of the ESA's Euclid mission launched in July 2023 hosts 16 H2RG detectors in the focal plane. Their performance relies heavily on the effect of image persistence, which results in residual images that can remain in the detector for a long time contaminating any subsequent observations. Deriving a precise model of image persistence is challenging due to the sensitivity of this effect to observation history going back hours or even days. Nevertheless, persistence removal is a critical part of image processing because it limits the accuracy of the derived cosmological parameters. We will present the empirical model of image persistence derived from ground characterization data, adapted to the Euclid observation sequence and compared with the data obtained during the in-orbit calibrations of the satellite.

astro-ph.IM

Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1): VIS processing and data products

This paper describes the VIS Processing Function (VIS PF) of the Euclid ground segment pipeline, which processes and calibrates raw data from the VIS camera. We present the algorithms used in each processing element, along with a description of the on-orbit performance of VIS PF, based on Performance Verification (PV) and Q1 data. We demonstrate that the principal performance metrics (image quality, astrometric accuracy, photometric calibration) are within pre-launch specifications. The image-to-image photometric scatter is less than $0.8\%$, and absolute astrometric accuracy compared to Gaia is $5$ mas Image quality is stable over all Q1 images with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of $0.\!^{\prime\prime}16$. The stacked images (combining four nominal and two short exposures) reach $I_\mathrm{E} = 25.6$ ($10\sigma$, measured as the variance of $1.\!^{\prime\prime}3$ diameter apertures). We also describe quality control metrics provided with each image, and an appendix provides a detailed description of the provided data products. The excellent quality of these images demonstrates the immense potential of Euclid VIS data for weak lensing. VIS data, covering most of the extragalactic sky, will provide a lasting high-resolution atlas of the Universe.

astro-ph.IM

Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1). NIR processing and data products

This paper describes the near-infrared processing function (NIR PF) that processes near-infrared images from the Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) instrument onboard the Euclid satellite. NIR PF consists of three main components: (i) a common pre-processing stage for both photometric (NIR) and spectroscopic (SIR) data to remove instrumental effects; (ii) astrometric and photometric calibration of NIR data, along with catalogue extraction; and (iii) resampling and stacking. The necessary calibration products are generated using dedicated pipelines that process observations from both the early performance verification (PV) phase in 2023 and the nominal survey operations. After outlining the pipeline's structure and algorithms, we demonstrate its application to Euclid Q1 images. For Q1, we achieve an astrometric accuracy of 9-15 mas, a relative photometric accuracy of 5 mmag, and an absolute flux calibration limited by the 1% uncertainty of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) CALSPEC database. We characterise the point-spread function (PSF) that we find very stable across the focal plane, and we discuss current limitations of NIR PF that will be improved upon for future data releases.

astro-ph.CO

Euclid: Quick Data Release (Q1) -- Photometric studies of known transients

We report on serendipitous Euclid observations of previously known transients, using the Euclid Q1 data release. By cross-matching with the Transient Name Server (TNS) we identify 164 transients that coincide with the data release. Although the Euclid Q1 release only includes single-epoch data, we are able to make Euclid photometric measurements at the location of 161 of these transients. Euclid obtained deep photometric measurements or upper limits of these transients in the $I_E$, $Y_E$, $J_E$, and $H_E$ bands at various phases of the transient light-curves, including before, during, and after the observations of ground-based transient surveys. Approximately 70\% of known transients reported in the six months before the Euclid observation date and with discovery magnitude brighter than 24 were detected in Euclid $\IE$ images. Our observations include one of the earliest near-infrared detections of a Type~Ia supernova (SN 2024pvw) 15 days prior to its peak brightness, and the late-phase (435.9 days post peak) observations of the enigmatic core-collapse SN 2023aew. Euclid deep photometry provides valuable information on the nature of these transients such as their progenitor systems and power sources, with late time observations being a uniquely powerful contribution. In addition, Euclid is able to detect the host galaxies of some transients that were previously classed as hostless. The Q1 data demonstrate the power of the Euclid data even with only single-epoch observations available, as will be the case for much larger areas of sky in the Euclid Wide Survey.

astro-ph.SR

Constraints on Relativistic Jets from the Fast X-ray Transient 210423 using Prompt Radio Follow-Up Observations

Fast X-ray Transients (FXTs) are a new observational class of phenomena with no clear physical origin. This is at least partially a consequence of limited multi-wavelength follow up of this class of transients in real time. Here we present deep optical ($g-$ and $i-$ band) photometry with Keck, and prompt radio observations with the VLA of FXT 210423 obtained at ${\delta t \approx 14-36}$ days since the X-ray trigger. We use these multi-band observations, combined with publicly available data sets, to constrain the presence and physical properties of on-axis and off-axis relativistic jets such as those that can be launched by neutron-star mergers and tidal disruption events, which are among the proposed theoretical scenarios of FXTs. Considering a wide range of possible redshifts $z\le3.5$, circumstellar medium (CSM) density $n={10^{-6}-10^{-1}\,\rm{cm^{-3}}}$, isotropic-equivalent jet kinetic energy $E_{k,iso}={10^{48}-10^{55}\,\rm{erg}}$, we find that we can rule out wide jets with opening angle ${\theta_{j}=15^{\circ}}$ viewed within ${10^{\circ}}$ off-axis. For more collimated jets (${\theta_{j}=3^{\circ}}$) we can only rule out on-axis (${\theta_{obs}=0^{\circ}}$) orientations. This study highlights the constraining power of prompt multi-wavelength observations of FXTs discovered in real time by current (e.g., Einstein Probe) and future facilities.

astro-ph.HE

Euclid preparation. XXVII. A UV-NIR spectral atlas of compact planetary nebulae for wavelength calibration

The Euclid mission will conduct an extragalactic survey over 15000 deg$^2$ of the extragalactic sky. The spectroscopic channel of the Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) has a resolution of $R\sim450$ for its blue and red grisms that collectively cover the $0.93$--$1.89 $\micron;range. NISP will obtain spectroscopic redshifts for $3\times10^7$ galaxies for the experiments on galaxy clustering, baryonic acoustic oscillations, and redshift space distortion. The wavelength calibration must be accurate within $5$\AA to avoid systematics in the redshifts and downstream cosmological parameters. The NISP pre-flight dispersion laws for the grisms were obtained on the ground using a Fabry-Perot etalon. Launch vibrations, zero gravity conditions, and thermal stabilisation may alter these dispersion laws, requiring an in-flight recalibration. To this end, we use the emission lines in the spectra of compact planetary nebulae (PNe), which were selected from a PN data base. To ensure completeness of the PN sample, we developed a novel technique to identify compact and strong line emitters in Gaia spectroscopic data using the Gaia spectra shape coefficients. We obtained VLT/X-SHOOTER spectra from $0.3$ to $2.5$ \micron;for 19 PNe in excellent seeing conditions and a wide slit, mimicking Euclid's slitless spectroscopy mode but with 10 times higher spectral resolution. Additional observations of one northern PN were obtained in the $0.80$--$1.90$ \micron range with the GMOS and GNIRS instruments at the Gemini North observatory. The collected spectra were combined into an atlas of heliocentric vacuum wavelengths with a joint statistical and systematic accuracy of 0.1 \AA in the optical and 0.3 \AA in the near-infrared. The wavelength atlas and the related 1D and 2D spectra are made publicly available.

astro-ph.GA

The First Short GRB Millimeter Afterglow: The Wide-Angled Jet of the Extremely Energetic SGRB 211106A

We present the discovery of the first millimeter afterglow of a short-duration $\gamma$-ray burst (SGRB) and the first confirmed afterglow of an SGRB localized by the GUANO system on Swift. Our Atacama Large Millimeter/Sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) detection of SGRB 211106A establishes an origin in a faint host galaxy detected in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging at $0.7\lesssim z\lesssim1.4$. From the lack of a detectable optical afterglow, coupled with the bright millimeter counterpart, we infer a high extinction, $A_{\rm V}\gtrsim2.6$ mag along the line of sight, making this the one of the most highly dust-extincted SGRBs known to date. The millimeter-band light curve captures the passage of the synchrotron peak from the afterglow forward shock and reveals a jet break at $t_{\rm jet}=29.2^{+4.5}_{-4.0}$~days. For a presumed redshift of $z=1$, we infer an opening angle, $\theta_{\rm jet}=(15.5\pm1.4)$~degrees, and beaming-corrected kinetic energy of $\log(E_{\rm K}/{\rm erg})=51.8\pm0.3$, making this one of the widest and most energetic SGRB jets known to date. Combining all published millimeter-band upper limits in conjunction with the energetics for a large sample of SGRBs, we find that energetic outflows in high density environments are more likely to have detectable millimeter counterparts. Concerted afterglow searches with ALMA should yield detection fractions of 24-40% on timescales of $\gtrsim2$~days at rates $\approx0.8$-1.6 per year, outpacing the historical discovery rate of SGRB centimeter-band afterglows.

astro-ph.HE

A Kilonova Following a Long-Duration Gamma-Ray Burst at 350 Mpc

Here, we report the discovery of a kilonova associated with the nearby (350 Mpc) minute-duration GRB 211211A. In tandem with deep optical limits that rule out the presence of an accompanying supernova to $M_I > -13$ mag at 17.7 days post-burst, the identification of a kilonova confirms that this burst's progenitor was a compact object merger. While the spectrally softer tail in GRB 211211A's gamma-ray light curve is reminiscent of previous extended emission short GRBs (EE-SGRBs), its prompt, bright spikes last $\gtrsim 12$ s, separating it from past EE-SGRBs. GRB 211211A's kilonova has a similar luminosity, duration and color to AT2017gfo, the kilonova found in association with the gravitational wave (GW)-detected binary neutron star (BNS) merger GW170817. We find that the merger ejected $\approx 0.04 M_{\odot}$ of r-process-rich material, and is consistent with the merger of two neutron stars (NSs) with masses close to the canonical $1.4 M_{\odot}$. This discovery implies that GRBs with long, complex light curves can be spawned from compact object merger events and that a population of kilonovae following GRBs with durations $\gg 2$ s should be accounted for in calculations of the NS merger r-process contribution and rate. At 350 Mpc, the current network of GW interferometers at design sensitivity would have detected the merger precipitating GRB 211211A, had it been operating at the time of the event. Further searches for GW signals coincident with long GRBs are therefore a promising route for future multi-messenger astronomy.

astro-ph.HE

A Systematic Exploration of Kilonova Candidates from Neutron Star Mergers During the Third Gravitational Wave Observing Run

We present a comprehensive analysis of 653 optical candidate counterparts reported during the third gravitational wave (GW) observing run. Our sample concentrates on candidates from the 15 events (published in GWTC-2, GWTC-3 or not retracted on GraceDB) that had a >1% chance of including a neutron star in order to assess their viability as true kilonovae. In particular, we leverage tools available in real time, including pre-merger detections and cross-matching with catalogs (i.e. point source, variable star, quasar and host galaxy redshift datasets), to eliminate 65% of candidates in our sample. We further employ spectroscopic classifications, late-time detections and light curve behavior analyses, and conclude that 66 candidates remain viable kilonovae. These candidates lack sufficient information to determine their classifications, and the majority would require luminosities greater than that of AT2017gfo. Pre-merger detections in public photometric survey data and comparison of catalogued host galaxy redshifts with the GW event distances are critical to incorporate into vetting procedures, as these tools eliminated >20% and >30% of candidates, respectively. We expect that such tools which leverage archival information will significantly reduce the strain on spectroscopic and photometric follow-up resources in future observing runs. Finally, we discuss the critical role prompt updates from GW astronomers to the EM community play in reducing the number of candidates requiring vetting.

astro-ph.HE

Luminous Late-time Radio Emission from Supernovae Detected by the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS)

We present a population of 19 radio-luminous supernovae (SNe) with emission reaching $L_{\nu}{\sim}10^{26}-10^{29}\,\rm{erg\,s^{-1}Hz^{-1}}$ in the first epoch of the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) at $2-4$GHz. Our sample includes one long Gamma-Ray Burst, SN 2017iuk/GRB171205A, and 18 core-collapse SNe detected at $\approx (1-60)$years after explosion. No thermonuclear explosion shows evidence for bright radio emission, and hydrogen-poor progenitors dominate the sub-sample of core-collapse events with spectroscopic classification at the time of explosion (79\%). We interpret these findings into the context of the expected radio emission from the forward shock interaction with the circumstellar medium (CSM). We conclude that these observations require a departure from the single wind-like density profile (i.e., $\rho_{\rm{CSM}}\propto r^{-2}$) that is expected around massive stars and/or a departure from a spherical Newtonian shock. Viable alternatives include the shock interaction with a detached, dense shell of CSM formed by a large effective progenitor mass-loss rate $\dot M \sim (10^{-4}-10^{-1})$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ (for an assumed wind velocity of $1000\,\rm{km\,s^{-1}}$); emission from an off-axis relativistic jet entering our line of sight; or the emergence of emission from a newly-born pulsar-wind nebula. The relativistic SN 2012ap that is detected 5.7 and 8.5 years after explosion with $L_{\nu}{\sim}10^{28}$ erg s$^{-1}$ Hz$^{-1}$ might constitute the first detections of an off-axis jet+cocoon system in a massive star. However, none of the VLASS-SNe with archival data points are consistent with our model off-axis jet light curves. Future multi-wavelength observations will distinguish among these scenarios.Our VLASS source catalogs, which were used to perform the VLASS cross matching, are publicly available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4895112.

astro-ph.HE

Multi-frequency observations of SGR J1935+2154

Magnetars are a promising candidate for the origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). The detection of an extremely luminous radio burst from the Galactic magnetar SGR J1935+2154 on 2020 April 28 added credence to this hypothesis. We report on simultaneous and non-simultaneous observing campaigns using the Arecibo, Effelsberg, LOFAR, MeerKAT, MK2 and Northern Cross radio telescopes and the MeerLICHT optical telescope in the days and months after the April 28 event. We did not detect any significant single radio pulses down to fluence limits between 25 mJy ms and 18 Jy ms. Some observing epochs overlapped with times when X-ray bursts were detected. Radio images made on four days using the MeerKAT telescope revealed no point-like persistent or transient emission at the location of the magnetar. No transient or persistent optical emission was detected over seven days. Using the multi-colour MeerLICHT images combined with relations between DM, NH and reddening we constrain the distance to SGR J1935+2154, to be between 1.5 and 6.5 kpc. The upper limit is consistent with some other distance indicators and suggests that the April 28 burst is closer to two orders of magnitude less energetic than the least energetic FRBs. The lack of single-pulse radio detections shows that the single pulses detected over a range of fluences are either rare, or highly clustered, or both. It may also indicate that the magnetar lies somewhere between being radio-quiet and radio-loud in terms of its ability to produce radio emission efficiently.

astro-ph.HE

GW190814 follow-up with the optical telescope MeerLICHT

The Advanced LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave observatories detected a signal on 2019 August 14 during their third observing run, named GW190814. A large number of electromagnetic facilities conducted follow-up campaigns in the search for a possible counterpart to the gravitational wave event, which was made especially promising given the early source classification of a neutron star-black hole merger.We present the results of the GW follow-up campaign taken with the wide-field optical telescope MeerLICHT, located at the South African Astronomical Observatory Sutherland site. We use our results to constrain possible kilonova models. MeerLICHT observed more than 95% of the probability localisation each night for over a week in three optical bands (u,q,i) with our initial observations beginning almost 2 hours after the GW detection. We describe the search for new transients in MeerLICHT data and investigate how our limiting magnitudes can be used to constrain an AT2017gfo-like kilonova. A single new transient was found in our analysis of MeerLICHT data, which we exclude from being the electromagnetic counterpart to GW190814 due to the existence of a spatially unresolved source at the transient's coordinates in archival data. Using our limiting magnitudes, the confidence with which we can exclude the presence of an AT2017gfo-like kilonova at the distance of GW190814 was low ($<10^{-4}$).

astro-ph.HE

A Late-Time Galaxy-Targeted Search for the Radio Counterpart of GW190814

GW190814 was a compact object binary coalescence detected in gravitational waves by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo that garnered exceptional community interest due to its excellent localization and the uncertain nature of the binary's lighter-mass component (either the heaviest known neutron star, or the lightest known black hole). Despite extensive follow up observations, no electromagnetic counterpart has been identified. Here we present new radio observations of 75 galaxies within the localization volume at $\Delta t\approx 35-266$ days post-merger. Our observations cover $\sim32$% of the total stellar luminosity in the final localization volume and extend to later timescales than previously-reported searches, allowing us to place the deepest constraints to date on the existence of a radio afterglow from a highly off-axis relativistic jet launched during the merger (assuming that the merger occurred within the observed area). For a viewing angle of $\sim46^{\circ}$ (the best-fit binary inclination derived from the gravitational wave signal) and assumed electron and magnetic field energy fractions of $\epsilon_e=0.1$ and $\epsilon_B=0.01$, we can rule out a typical short gamma-ray burst-like Gaussian jet with isotropic-equivalent kinetic energy $2\times10^{51}$ erg propagating into a constant density medium $n\gtrsim0.01$ cm$^{-3}$. These are the first limits resulting from a galaxy-targeted search for a radio counterpart to a gravitational wave event, and we discuss the challenges, and possible advantages, of applying similar search strategies to future events using current and upcoming radio facilities.

astro-ph.HE

Probing Kilonova Ejecta Properties Using a Catalog of Short Gamma-Ray Burst Observations

The discovery of GW170817 and GRB 170817A in tandem with AT 2017gfo cemented the connection between neutron star mergers, short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and kilonovae. To investigate short GRB observations in the context of diverse kilonova behavior, we present a comprehensive optical and near-infrared (NIR) catalog of 85 bursts discovered over 2005-2020 on timescales of $\lesssim12$ days. The sample includes previously unpublished observations of 23 bursts, and encompasses both detections and deep upper limits. We identify 11.8% and 15.3% of short GRBs in our catalog with upper limits that probe luminosities lower than those of AT 2017gfo and a fiducial NSBH kilonovae model (for pole-on orientations), respectively. We quantify the ejecta masses allowed by the deepest limits in our catalog, constraining blue and `extremely blue' kilonova components of 14.1% of bursts to $M_{\rm ej}\lesssim0.01-0.1 M_{\odot}$. The sample of short GRBs is not particularly constraining for red kilonova components. Motivated by the large catalog as well as model predictions of diverse kilonova behavior, we investigate modified search strategies for future follow-up to short GRBs. We find that ground-based optical and NIR observations on timescales of $\gtrsim 2$ days can play a significant role in constraining more diverse outcomes. We expect future short GRB follow up efforts, such as from the {\it James Webb Space Telescope}, to expand the reach of kilonova detectability to redshifts of $z\approx 1$.

astro-ph.HE

Searches after Gravitational Waves Using ARizona Observatories (SAGUARO): Observations and Analysis from Advanced LIGO/Virgo's Third Observing Run

With the conclusion of the third observing run for Advanced LIGO/Virgo (O3), we present a detailed analysis of both triggered and serendipitous observations of 17 gravitational wave (GW) events (7 triggered and 10 purely serendipitous) from the Searches After Gravitational-waves Using ARizona Observatories (SAGUARO) program. We searched a total of 4935 deg$^2$ down to a median 5$\sigma$ transient detection depth of 21.1 AB mag using the Mt Lemmon 1.5 m telescope, the discovery engine for SAGUARO. In addition to triggered events within 24~hours, our transient search encompassed a time interval following GW events of $<120$~hrs, providing observations on $\sim$ 1/2 of the events accessible to the Mt Lemmon 1.5 m telescope. We covered 2.1--86\% of the LVC total probability ($P_{\rm total}$) for individual events, with a median $P_{\rm total} \approx 8\%$ within $<120$~hours. Following improvements to our pipeline and the addition of serendipitous observations, we find a total of 7 new optical candidates across 5 GW events which we are unable to rule out after searching for additional information and comparing to kilonova models. Using both publicly available and our own late-time data, we investigated a total of 252 optical candidates for these 17 events, finding only 65\% were followed up in some capacity by the community. Of the total 252 candidates, we are able to rule out an additional 12 previously reported counterpart candidates. In light of these results, we discuss lessons learned from the SAGUARO GW counterpart search. We discuss how community coordination of observations and candidate follow-up, as well as the role of archival data, are crucial to improving the efficiency of follow-up efforts and preventing unnecessary duplication of effort with limited EM resources.

astro-ph.HE