arXiv subjects

Kimberly Bott

Publications and source records attributed to Kimberly Bott.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Polarization due to rotational distortion in the bright star Regulus

Polarization in stars was first predicted by Chandrasekhar [1] who calculated a substantial linear polarization at the stellar limb for a pure electron-scattering atmosphere. This polarization will average to zero when integrated over a spherical star but could be detected if the symmetry is broken, for example by the eclipse of a binary companion. Nearly 50 years ago, Harrington and Collins [2] modeled another way of breaking the symmetry and producing net polarization - the distortion of a rapidly rotating hot star. Here we report the first detection of this effect. Observations of the linear polarization of Regulus, with two different high-precision polarimeters, range from +42 parts-per-million (ppm) at a wavelength of 741 nm to -22 ppm at 395 nm. The reversal from red to blue is a distinctive feature of rotation-induced polarization. Using a new set of models for the polarization of rapidly rotating stars we find that Regulus is rotating at 96.5$\substack{+0.6-0.8}$% of its critical angular velocity for breakup, and has an inclination greater than 76.5 degrees. The rotation axis of the star is at a position angle of 79.5$\pm$0.7 degrees. The conclusions are independent of, but in good agreement with, the results of previously published interferometric observations of Regulus [3]. The accurate measurement of rotation in early-type stars is important for understanding their stellar environments [4], and course of their evolution [5].

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arXiv2017

The intrinsic and interstellar broadband linear polarization of nearby FGK dwarfs

We present linear polarization measurements of nearby FGK dwarfs to parts-per-million (ppm) precision. Before making any allowance for interstellar polarization, we found that the active stars within the sample have a mean polarization of 28.5 +/- 2.2 ppm while the inactive stars have a mean of 9.6 +/- 1.5 ppm. Amongst inactive stars we initially found no difference between debris disk host stars (9.1 +/- 2.5 ppm) and the other FGK dwarfs (9.9 +/- 1.9 ppm). We develop a model for the magnitude and direction of interstellar polarization for nearby stars. When we correct the observations for the estimated interstellar polarization we obtain 23.0 +/-2.2 ppm for the active stars, 7.8 +/- 2.9 ppm for the inactive debris disk host stars and 2.9 +/- 1.9 ppm for the other inactive stars. The data indicates that whilst some debris disk host stars are intrinsically polarized most inactive FGK dwarfs have negligible intrinsic polarization, but that active dwarfs have intrinsic polarization at levels ranging up to ~45 ppm. We briefly consider a number of mechanisms, and suggest differential saturation of spectral lines in the presence of magnetic fields is the best able to explain the polarization seen in active dwarfs. The results have implications for current attempts to detect polarized reflected light from hot Jupiters by looking at the combined light of the star and planet.

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arXiv2016

Carrying a Torch for Dust in Binary Star Systems

Young stars are frequently observed to host circumstellar disks, within which their attendant planetary systems are formed. Scattered light imaging of these proto-planetary disks reveals a rich variety of structures including spirals, gaps and clumps. Self-consistent modelling of both imaging and multi-wavelength photometry enables the best interpretation of the location and size distribution of disks' dust. Epsilon Sagittarii is an unusual star system. It is a binary system with a B9.5III primary that is also believed to host a debris disk in an unstable configuration. Recent polarimetric measurements of the system with the High Precision Polarimetric Instrument (HIPPI) revealed an unexpectedly high fractional linear polarisation, one greater than the fractional infrared excess of the system. Here we develop a spectral energy distribution model for the system and use this as a basis for radiative transfer modelling of its polarisation with the RADMC-3D software package. The measured polarisation can be reproduced for grain sizes around 2.0 microns.

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arXiv2016

The polarisation of HD 189733

We present linear polarization observations of the exoplanet system HD 189733 made with the HIgh Precision Polarimetric Instrument (HIPPI) on the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). The observations have higher precision than any previously reported for this object. They do not show the large amplitude polarization variations reported by Berdyugina et al. 2008 and Berdyugina et al. 2011. Our results are consistent with polarization data presented by Wiktorowicz et al. 2015. A formal least squares fit of a Rayleigh-Lambert model yields a polarization amplitude of 29.4 +/- 15.6 parts-per-million. We observe a background constant level of polarization of ~ 55-70 ppm, which is a little higher than expected for interstellar polarization at the distance of HD 189733.

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arXiv2015

The linear polarisation of southern bright stars measured at the parts-per-million level

We report observations of the linear polarisation of a sample of 50 nearby southern bright stars measured to a median sensitivity of $\sim$4.4 $\times 10^{-6}$. We find larger polarisations and more highly polarised stars than in the previous PlanetPol survey of northern bright stars. This is attributed to a dustier interstellar medium in the mid-plane of the Galaxy, together with a population containing more B-type stars leading to more intrinsically polarised stars, as well as using a wavelength more sensitive to intrinsic polarisation in late-type giants. Significant polarisation had been identified for only six stars in the survey group previously, whereas we are now able to deduce intrinsic polarigenic mechanisms for more than twenty. The four most highly polarised stars in the sample are the four classical Be stars ($α$ Eri, $α$ Col, $η$ Cen and $α$ Ara). For the three of these objects resolved by interferometry, the position angles are consistent with the orientation of the circumstellar disc determined. We find significant intrinsic polarisation in most B stars in the sample; amongst these are a number of close binaries and an unusual binary debris disk system. However these circumstances do not account for the high polarisations of all the B stars in the sample and other polarigenic mechanisms are explored. Intrinsic polarisation is also apparent in several late type giants which can be attributed to either close, hot circumstellar dust or bright spots in the photosphere of these stars. Aside from a handful of notable debris disk systems, the majority of A to K type stars show polarisation levels consistent with interstellar polarisation.

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arXiv2015

Atmospheric Modelling for Neptune's Methane D/H Ratio - Preliminary Results

The ratio of deuterium to hydrogen (D/H ratio) of Solar System bodies is an important clue to their formation histories. Here we fit a Neptunian atmospheric model to Gemini Near Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) high spectral resolution observations and determine the D/H ratio in methane absorption in the infrared H-band ($\sim$ 1.6 μm). The model was derived using our radiative transfer software VSTAR (Versatile Software for the Transfer of Atmospheric Radiation) and atmospheric fitting software ATMOF (ATMOspheric Fitting). The methane line list used for this work has only become available in the last few years, enabling a refinement of earlier estimates. We identify a bright region on the planetary disc and find it to correspond to an optically thick lower cloud. Our preliminary determination of CH$_{\rm 3}$D/CH$_{\rm 4}$ is 3.0$\times10^{-4}$, which is in line with the recent determination of Irwin et al. (2014) of 3.0$^{+1.0}_{-0.9}\sim\times10^{-4}$, made using the same model parameters and line list but different observational data. This supports evidence that the proto-solar ice D/H ratio of Neptune is much less than that of the comets, and suggests Neptune formed inside its present orbit.

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arXiv2015

A high-sensitivity polarimeter using a ferro-electric liquid crystal modulator

We describe the HIgh Precision Polarimetric Instrument (HIPPI), a polarimeter built at UNSW Australia and used on the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). HIPPI is an aperture polarimeter using a ferro-electric liquid crystal modulator. HIPPI measures the linear polarization of starlight with a sensitivity in fractional polarization of ~4 x 10$^{-6}$ on low polarization objects and a precision of better than 0.01% on highly polarized stars. The detectors have a high dynamic range allowing observations of the brightest stars in the sky as well as much fainter objects. The telescope polarization of the AAT is found to be 48 $\pm$ 5 x 10$^{-6}$ in the g' band.

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arXiv2013

VSTAR Modelling of the Infrared Spectrum of Uranus

We modelled the H-band spectrum obtained with the Infrared Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS2) at the Anglo-Australian Telescope in order to infer the cloud structure and composition of the atmosphere of the planet between 0.1 and 11 bar. Such modelling can be used to derive the D/H ratio in the atmosphere of Uranus, which is an important diagnostic of the conditions in early history of the planetary formation. We describe here our modelling technique based on the Versatile Software for Transfer of Atmospheric Radiation (VSTAR) (Bailey2012a). Since the infrared spectrum of Uranus is dominated by absorption from methane, the accuracy of the models is limited largely by the quality of the low temperature, methane line databases used. Our modelling includes the latest laboratory line data for methane described in Bailey (2011). The parameters of this model will be applied in the future to model our observations of GNIRS high resolution spectra of Uranus and derive the D/H ratio in the 1.58 micron window based on absorption in the deuterated methane band in this region.

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