arXiv subjects

L. A. Nunez

Publications and source records attributed to L. A. Nunez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

From a Network to a Networking: The Evolution of the Latin American Giant Observatory

The Latin American Giant Observatory (LAGO) is a collaborative initiative that deploys a network of low-cost, autonomous Water Cherenkov Detectors across Latin America and Spain. Initially focused on detecting gamma-ray bursts at high-altitude sites, LAGO has evolved into a multidisciplinary forum for astroparticle physics, space weather studies, and environmental monitoring. Its detectors operate from sea level to over 4300 meters above sea level (m a.s.l.) in diverse geomagnetic and atmospheric conditions. The ARTI-MEIGA simulation framework is a key development that models the entire cosmic-ray interaction chain, enabling site-specific simulations to be integrated into FAIR-compliant workflows. LAGO also plays a significant role in regional education and training through partnerships with ERASMUS+ projects, positioning itself as a hub for research capacity building. New contributions emerging from the collaboration include volcano muography, neutron hydrometry for precision agriculture, and space weather monitoring in the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly. LAGO demonstrates how Cherenkov-based detection and open science can drive scientific discovery and practical innovation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

All analytic solutions for geodesic motion in axially symmetric space-times

Recent observations of the orbits of star clusters around Sgr $A^\star$, imaging of black holes and gravitational waveforms of merging compact objects require a detailed understanding of the general relativistic geodesic motion. We came up with a method to provide all the possible geodesics in an axially symmetric space-time. The Kerr metric is explicitly worked out, recovering the Schwarzschild geodesics in the static limit. We also found the most general Killing tensor and its associated constant of motion for an axisymmetric space-time. The relevance of these results is crucial to understanding the different scenarios and the fundamental nature of the compact object at the galactic center.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Karmarkar scalar condition

In this work we present the Karmarkar condition in terms of the structure scalars obtained from the orthogonal decomposition of the Riemann tensor. This the new expression becomes an algebraic relation among the physical variables, and not a differential equation between the metric coefficients. By using the Karmarkar scalar condition we implement a method to obtain all possible embedding class I static spherical solutions, provided the energy density profile is given. We also analyse the dynamic adiabatic case and show the incompatibility of the Kamarkar condition with several commonly assumed simplifications to the study of gravitational collapse. Finally, we consider the dissipative dynamic Karmarkar collapse and find a new solution family.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Muon Tomography sites for Colombian volcanoes

By using a very detailed simulation scheme, we have calculated the cosmic ray background flux at 13 active Colombian volcanoes and developed a methodology to identify the most convenient places for a muon telescope to study their inner structure. Our simulation scheme considers three critical factors with different spatial and time scales: the geomagnetic effects, the development of extensive air showers in the atmosphere, and the detector response at ground level. The muon energy dissipation along the path crossing the geological structure is modeled considering the losses due to ionization, and also contributions from radiative Bremstrahlung, nuclear interactions, and pair production. By considering each particular volcano topography and assuming reasonable statistics for different instrument acceptances, we obtained the muon flux crossing each structure and estimated the exposure time for our hybrid muon telescope at several points around each geological edifice. After a detailed study from the topography, we have identified the best volcano to be studied, spotted the finest points to place a muon telescope and estimated its time exposures for a significant statistics of muon flux. We have devised a mix of technical and logistic criteria --the ``rule of thumb'' criteria-- and found that only Cerro Machin, located at the Cordillera Central (4$^{\circ}$29'N 75$^{\circ}$22'W), can be feasibly studied today through muography. Cerro Negro and Chiles could be good candidates shortly

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2015

Exposición Temprana de Nativos Digitales en Ambientes, Metodologías y Técnicas de Investigación en la Universidad

Being aware of the motivation problems observed in many scientific oriented careers, we present two experiences to expose to college students to environments, methodologies and discovery techniques addressing contemporary problems. This experiences are developed in two complementary contexts: an Introductory Physics course, where we motivated to physics students to participate in research activities, and a multidisciplinary hotbed of research oriented to advanced undergraduate students of Science and Engineering (that even produced three poster presentations in international conferences). Although these are preliminary results and require additional editions to get statistical significance, we consider they are encouraging results. On both contexts we observe an increase in the students motivation to orient their careers with emphasizing on research. In this work, besides the contextualization support for these experiences, we describe six specific activities to link our students to research areas, which we believe can be replicated on similar environments in other educational institutions.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2014

Quasi-static thermal evolution of compact objects

We study under what conditions the thermal peeling is present for dissipative local and quasi-local anisotropic spherical matter configurations. The thermal peeling occurs when different signs in the velocity of fluid elements appears, giving rise to the splitting of the matter configuration. The evolution is considered in the quasi-static approximation and the matter contents are radiant, anisotropic (unequal stresses) spherical local and quasi-local fluids. The heat flux and the associated temperature profiles are described by causal thermodynamics consistent with this approximation. It is found some particular, local and quasi-local equation of state for ultra-dense matter configurations exhibit thermal peeling when most of the radiated energy is concentrated at the middle of the distribution. This effect, which appears to be associated with extreme astrophysical scenarios (highly relativistic and very luminous gravitational system expelling its outer mass shells), is very sensible to energy flux profile and to the shape of the luminosity emitted by the compact object.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

LAGOVirtual: A Collaborative Environment for the Large Aperture GRB Observatory

We present the LAGOVirtual Project: an ongoing project to develop platform to collaborate in the Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO). This continental-wide observatory is devised to detect high energy (around 100 GeV) component of Gamma Ray Bursts, by using the single particle technique in arrays of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) at high mountain sites (Chacaltaya, Bolivia, 5300 m a.s.l., Pico Espejo, Venezuela, 4750 m a.s.l., Sierra Negra, Mexico, 4650 m a.s.l). This platform will allow LAGO collaboration to share data, and computer resources through its different sites. This environment has the possibility to generate synthetic data by simulating the showers through AIRES application and to store/preserve distributed data files collected by the WCD at the LAGO sites. The present article concerns the implementation of a prototype of LAGO-DR adapting DSpace, with a hierarchical structure (i.e. country, institution, followed by collections that contain the metadata and data files), for the captured/simulated data. This structure was generated by using the community, sub-community, collection, item model; available at the DSpace software. Each member institution-country of the project has the appropriate permissions on the system to publish information (descriptive metadata and associated data files). The platform can also associate multiple files to each item of data (data from the instruments, graphics, postprocessed-data, etc.).

cs.CE↗

arXiv2009

Institutional Repository saber.ula.ve: A testimonial perspective

In this paper, we describe our decade-long experience of building and operating one of the most active Institutional Repository in the world: www.saber.ula.ve (University of the Andes, Merida-Venezuela). In order to share our experience with other institutions, we firstly explain the steps we followed to preserve and disseminate the scientific production of the University of Los Andes' researchers. We then present some recent quantitative results about our repository activities and we outline some methodological guidelines that could be applied in order to replicate similar experiences. These guidelines list the ingredients or building blocks as well as the processes followed for developing and maintaining the services of an Institutional Repository. These include technological infrastructure; institutional policies on preservation, publication and dissemination of knowledge; recommendations on incentives for open access publication; the process of selection, testing and adaptation of technological tools; the planning and organization of services, and the dissemination and support within the scientific community that will eventually lead to the adoption of the ideas that lie behind the open access movement. We summarize the results obtained regarding the acceptance, adoption and use of the technological tools used for the publication of our institution's intellectual production, and we present the main obstacles encountered on the way.

cs.DL↗

arXiv2009

Operating Water Cherenkov Detectors in high altitude sites for the Large Aperture GRB Observatory

Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) are efficient detectors for detecting GRBs in the 10 GeV - 1 TeV energy range using the single particle technique, given their sensitivity to low energy secondary photons produced by high energy photons when cascading in the atmosphere. The Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO) operates arrays of WCD in high altitude sites (above 4500 m a.s.l.) in Bolivia, Mexico and Venezuela, with planned extension to Peru. Details on the operation and stability of these WCD in remote sites with high background rates of particles will be detailed, and compared to simulations. Specific issues due to operation at high altitude, atmospheric effects and solar activity, as well as possible hardware enhancements will also be presented.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

The Large Aperture GRB Observatory

The Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO) is aiming at the detection of the high energy (around 100 GeV) component of Gamma Ray Bursts, using the single particle technique in arrays of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) in high mountain sites (Chacaltaya, Bolivia, 5300 m a.s.l., Pico Espejo, Venezuela, 4750 m a.s.l., Sierra Negra, Mexico, 4650 m a.s.l). WCD at high altitude offer a unique possibility of detecting low gamma fluxes in the 10 GeV - 1 TeV range. The status of the Observatory and data collected from 2007 to date will be presented.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Water Cherenkov Detectors response to a Gamma Ray Burst in the Large Aperture GRB Observatory

In order to characterise the behaviour of Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCD) under a sudden increase of 1 GeV - 1 TeV background photons from a Gamma Ray Burst (GRB), simulations were conducted and compared to data acquired by the WCD of the Large Aperture GRB Observatory (LAGO). The LAGO operates arrays of WCD at high altitude to detect GRBs using the single particle technique. The LAGO sensitivity to GRBs is derived from the reported simulations of the gamma initiated particle showers in the atmosphere and the WCD response to secondaries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2008

e-Science perspectives in Venezuela

We describe the e-Science strategy in Venezuela, in particular initiatives by the Centro Nacional de Calculo Cientifico Universidad de Los Andes (CECALCULA), Merida, the Universidad de Los Andes (ULA), Merida, and the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas (IVIC), Caracas. We present the plans for the Venezuelan Academic Grid and the current status of Grid ULA supported by Internet2. We show different web-based scientific applications that are being developed in quantum chemistry, atomic physics, structural damage analysis, biomedicine and bioclimate within the framework of the E-Infrastructure shared between Europe and Latin America (EELA)

cs.DC↗

arXiv2007

e-Science initiatives in Venezuela

Within the context of the nascent e-Science infrastructure in Venezuela, we describe several web-based scientific applications developed at the Centro Nacional de Calculo Cientifico Universidad de Los Andes (CeCalCULA), Merida, and at the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas (IVIC), Caracas. The different strategies that have been followed for implementing quantum chemistry and atomic physics applications are presented. We also briefly discuss a damage portal based on dynamic, nonlinear, finite elements of lumped damage mechanics and a biomedical portal developed within the framework of the \textit{E-Infrastructure shared between Europe and Latin America} (EELA) initiative for searching common sequences and inferring their functions in parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis, chagas and malaria.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2007

Sound Speeds, Cracking and Stability of Self-Gravitating Anisotropic Compact Objects

Using the the concept of cracking we explore the influence of density fluctuations and local anisotropy have on the stability of local and non-local anisotropic matter configurations in general relativity. This concept, conceived to describe the behaviour of a fluid distribution just after its departure from equilibrium, provides an alternative approach to consider the stability of selfgravitating compact objects. We show that potentially unstable regions within a configuration can be identify as a function of the difference of propagations of sound along tangential and radial directions. In fact, it is found that these regions could occur when, at particular point within the distribution, the tangential speed of sound is greater than radial one.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

Variable Eddington Factor and Radiating Slowly Rotating Bodies in General Relativity

We present an extension to a previous work to study the collapse of a radiating, slow-rotating self-gravitating relativistic configuration. In order to simulate dissipation effects due to the transfer of photons and/or neutrinos within the matter configuration, we introduce the flux factor, the variable Eddington factor and a closure relation between them. Rotation in General Relativity is considered in the slow rotation approximation, i.e. tangential velocity of every fluid element is much less than the speed of light and the centrifugal forces are little compared with the gravitational ones. Solutions are properly matched, up to the first order in the Kerr parameter, to the exterior Kerr-Vaidya metric and the evolution of the physical variables are obtained inside the matter configuration. To illustrate the method we work out three models with different equations of state and several closure relations. We have found that, for the closure relations considered, the matching conditions implies that a total diffusion regime can not be attained at the surface of the configuration. It has also been obtained that the eccentricity at the surface of radiating configurations is greater for models near the diffusion approximation than for those in the free streaming out limit. At least for the static ``seed'' equations of state considered, the simulation we performed show that these models have differential rotation and that the more diffusive the model is, the slower it rotates.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2005

Hydrodynamics in Class B Warped Spacetimes

We discuss certain general features of type B warped spacetimes which have important consequences on the material content they may admit and its associated dynamics. We show that, for Warped B spacetimes, if shear and anisotropy are nonvanishing, they have to be proportional. We also study some of the physics related to the warping factor and of the underlying decomposable metric. Finally we explore the only possible cases compatible with a type B Warped geometry which satisfy the dominant energy conditions. As an example of the above mentioned consequences we consider a radiating fluid and two non-spherically symmetric metrics which depend upon an arbitrary parameter, such that if the parameter vanishes the spherical symmetry is recovered.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Nonlocal Equation of State in Anisotropic Static Fluid Spheres in General Relativity

We show that it is possible to obtain credible static anisotropic spherically symmetric matter configurations starting from known density profiles and satisfying a nonlocal equation of state. These particular types of equation of state describe, at a given point, the components of the corresponding energy-momentum tensor not only as a function at that point, but as a functional throughout the enclosed configuration. To establish the physical plausibility of the proposed family of solutions satisfying nonlocal equation of state, we study the constraints imposed by the junction and energy conditions on these bounded matter distributions. We also show that it is possible to obtain physically plausible static anisotropic spherically symmetric matter configurations, having nonlocal equations of state\textit{,}concerning the particular cases where the radial pressure vanishes and, other where the tangential pressures vanishes. The later very particular type of relativistic sphere with vanishing tangential stresses is inspired by some of the models proposed to describe extremely magnetized neutron stars (magnetars) during the transverse quantum collapse.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1998

Nonlocal Equation of State in General Relativistic Radiating Spheres

We show that under particular circumstances a general relativistic spherically symmetric bounded distribution of matter could satisfy a nonlocal equation of state. This equation relates, at a given point, the components of the corresponding energy momentum tensor not only as function at that point, but as a functional throughout the enclosed configuration. We have found that these types of dynamic bounded matter configurations, with constant gravitational potentials at the surface, admit a Conformal Killing Vector and fulfill the energy conditions for anisotropic imperfect fluids. We also present several analytical and numerical models satisfying these equations of state which collapse as reasonable radiating anisotropic spheres in general relativity.

gr-qc↗