arXiv subjects

M. A. Guerrero

Publications and source records attributed to M. A. Guerrero.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Unveiling shocks in planetary nebulae

The propagation of a shock wave into a medium is expected to heat the material beyond the shock, producing noticeable effects in intensity line ratios such as [O III]/Halpha. To investigate the occurrence of shocks in planetary nebulae (PNe), we have used all narrowband [O III] and Halpha images of PNe available in the HST archive to build their [O III]/Halpha ratio maps and to search for regions where this ratio is enhanced. Regions with enhanced [O III]/Halpha emission ratio can be ascribed to two different types of morphological structures: bow-shock structures produced by fast collimated outflows and thin skins enveloping expanding nebular shells. Both collimated outflows and expanding shells are therefore confirmed to generate shocks in PNe. We also find regions with depressed values of the [O III]/Halpha ratio which are found mostly around density bounded PNe, where the local contribution of [N II] emission into the F656N Halpha filter cannot be neglected.

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arXiv2013

Diffuse X-ray Emission from Planetary Nebulae with Nebular O VI

The presence of O VI ions can be indicative of plasma temperatures of a few times 10^5 K that is expected in heat conduction layers between the hot shocked stellar wind gas at several 10^6 K and the cooler (~10,000 K) nebular gas of planetary nebulae (PNe). We have used FUSE observations of PNe to search for nebular O VI emission or absorption as a diagnostic of conduction layer to ensure the presence of hot interior gas. Three PNe showing nebular O VI, namely IC 418, NGC 2392, and NGC 6826, have been selected for Chandra observations and diffuse X-ray emission is indeed detected in each of these PNe. Among the three, NGC 2392 has peculiarly high diffuse X-ray luminosity and plasma temperature compared with those expected from its stellar wind's mechanical luminosity and terminal velocity. The limited effects of heat conduction on the plasma temperature of a hot bubble at the low terminal velocity of the stellar wind of NGC 2392 may partially account for its high plasma temperature, but the high X-ray luminosity needs to be powered by processes other than the observed stellar wind, probably caused by the presence of an unseen binary companion of the CSPN of NGC 2392. We have compiled relevant information on the X-ray, stellar, and nebular properties of PNe with a bubble morphology and found that the expectations of bubble models including heat conduction compare favorably with the present X-ray observations of hot bubbles around H-rich CSPNe, but have notable discrepancies for those around H-poor [WR] CSPNe. We note that PNe with more massive central stars can produce hotter plasma and higher X-ray surface brightness inside central hot bubbles.

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arXiv2013

Variable dust formation by the colliding-wind Wolf-Rayet system HD 36402 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Infrared photometry of the probable triple WC4(+O?)+O8I: Wolf-Rayet system HD 36402 (= BAT99-38) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) shows emission characteristic of heated dust. The dust emission is variable on a time-scale of years, with a period near 4.7 yr, possibly associated with orbital motion of the O8 supergiant and the inner P ~ 3.03-d WC4+O binary. The phase of maximum dust emission is close to that of the X-ray minimum, consistent with both processes being tied to colliding wind effects in an elliptical binary orbit. It is evident that Wolf-Rayet dust formation occurs also in metal-poor environments.

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arXiv2013

Discovery of X-ray emission from young suns in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We report the discovery of extended X-ray emission within the young star cluster NGC 602 in the Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) based on observations obtained with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. X-ray emission is detected from the cluster core area with the highest stellar density and from a dusty ridge surrounding the HII region. We use a census of massive stars in the cluster to demonstrate that a cluster wind or wind-blown bubble is unlikely to provide a significant contribution to the X-ray emission detected from the central area of the cluster. We therefore suggest that X-ray emission at the cluster core originates from an ensemble of low- and solar-mass pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars, each of which would be too weak in X-rays to be detected individually. We attribute the X-ray emission from the dusty ridge to the embedded tight cluster of the new-born stars known in this area from infrared studies. Assuming that the levels of X-ray activity in young stars in the low-metallicity environment of NGC 602a are comparable to their Galactic counterparts, then the detected spatial distribution, spectral properties, and level of X-ray emission are largely consistent with those expected from low- and solar-mass PMS stars and young stellar objects (YSOs). This is the first discovery of X-ray emission attributable to PMS stars and YSOs in the SMC, which suggests that the accretion and dynamo processes in young, low-mass objects in the SMC resemble those in the Galaxy.

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arXiv2012

VISIR-VLT high resolution study of the extended emission of four obscured post-AGB candidates

The onset of the asymmetry of planetary nebulae (PNe) is expected to occur during the late Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and early post-AGB phases of low- and intermediate-mass stars. Among all post-AGB objects, the most heavily obscured ones might have escaped the selection criteria of previous studies detecting extreme axysimmetric structures in young PNe. Since the most heavily obscured post-AGB sources can be expected to descend from the most massive PN progenitors, these should exhibit clear asymmetric morphologies. We have obtained VISIR-VLT mid-IR images of four heavily obscured post-AGB objects barely resolved in previous Spitzer IRAC observations to analyze their morphology and physical conditions across the mid-IR. The VISIR-VLT images have been deconvolved, flux calibrated, and used to construct RGB composite pictures as well as color and optical depth maps that allow us to study the morphology and physical properties of the extended emission of these sources. We have detected extended emission from the four objects in our sample and resolved it into several structural components that are greatly enhanced in the temperature and optical depth maps. They reveal the presence of asymmetry in three young PNe (IRAS 15534-5422, IRAS 17009-4154, and IRAS 18454+0001), where the asymmetries can be associated with dusty torii and slightly bipolar outflows. The fourth source (IRAS 18229-1127), a possible post-AGB star, is better described as a rhomboidal detached shell. The heavily obscured sources in our sample do not show extreme axisymmetric morphologies. This is at odds with the expectation of highly asymmetrical morphologies in post-AGB sources descending from massive PN progenitors. The sources presented in this paper may be sampling critical early phases in the evolution of massive PN progenitors, before extreme asymmetries develop.

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arXiv2012

On the relationship between the H2 emission and the physical structure of planetary nebulae

Mid-IR observations of planetary nebulae (PNe) have revealed diffuse emission associated to their main nebular shells and outer envelopes or haloes. The interpretation of this emission is uncertain because the broad-band mid-IR images may include contributions of different components. In particular, the Spitzer IRAC 8 μm images, that best reveal these nebular features, can include contributions not only of H2 lines, but also those of ionic species, PAH features, and thermal dust continuum emission. To investigate the nature of the emission detected in mid-IR observations of a sample of 10 PNe, we have obtained narrow-band near-IR H2 λ2.122 μm and optical [N II] λ6584 ?A images. The comparison between these images confrm that a significant fraction of the emission detected in the IRAC 8 μm images can be attributed to molecular hydrogen, thus confirming the utility of these mid-IR images to investigate the molecular component of PNe. We have also detected H2 emission from PNe whose physical structure cannot be described as bipolar, but rather as ellipsoidal or barrel-like. These detections suggest that, as more sensitive observations of PNe in the H2 λ2.122 line are acquired, the detection of H2 emission is not exclusive of bipolar PNe, although objects with this morphology are still the brightest H2 emitters. Finally, we remark that the bright H2 emission from the equatorial ring of a bipolar PN does not arise from a photodissociation region shielded from the UV stellar radiation by the ring itself, but from dense knots and clumps embedded within the ionized material of the ring.

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arXiv2012

The slow X-ray pulsar SXP 1062 and associated supernova remnant in the Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud

SXP 1062 is an exceptional case of a young neutron star in a wind-fed high-mass X-ray binary associated with a supernova remnant. A unique combination of measured spin period, its derivative, luminosity and young age makes this source a key probe for the physics of accretion and neutron star evolution. Theoretical models proposed to explain the properties of SXP 1062 shall be tested with new data.

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arXiv2012

Rebirth of X-ray Emission from the Born-Again Planetary Nebula A 30

The planetary nebula (PN) A30 is believed to have undergone a very late thermal pulse resulting in the ejection of knots of hydrogen-poor material. Using HST images we have detected the angular expansion of these knots and derived an age of 850+280-150 yr. To investigate the spectral and spatial properties of the soft X-ray emission detected by ROSAT, we have obtained Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of A30. The X-ray emission from A30 can be separated into two components: a point-source at the central star and diffuse emission associated with the hydrogen-poor knots and the cloverleaf structure inside the nebular shell. To help us assess the role of the current stellar wind in powering this X-ray emission, we have determined the stellar parameters of the central star of A 30 using a non-LTE model fit to its optical and UV spectrum. The spatial distribution and spectral properties of the diffuse X-ray emission is suggestive that it is generated by the post-born-again and present fast stellar winds interacting with the hydrogen-poor ejecta of the born-again event. This emission can be attributed to shock-heated plasma, as the hydrogen-poor knots are ablated by the stellar winds, under which circumstances the efficient mass-loading of the present fast stellar wind raises its density and damps its velocity to produce the observed diffuse soft X-rays. Charge transfer reactions between the ions of the stellar winds and material of the born-again ejecta has also been considered as a possible mechanism for the production of diffuse X-ray emission, and upper limits on the expected X-ray production by this mechanism have been derived. The origin of the X-ray emission from the central star of A 30 is puzzling: shocks in the present fast stellar wind and photospheric emission can be ruled out, while the development of a new, compact hot bubble confining the fast stellar wind seems implausible.

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arXiv2012

X-ray emission from the Wolf-Rayet bubble S308

The Wolf-Rayet (WR) bubble S 308 around the WR star HD 50896 is one of the only two WR bubbles known to possess X-ray emission. We present XMM-Newton observations of three fields of this WR bubble that, in conjunction with an existing observation of its Northwest quadrant, map most of the nebula. The X-ray emission from S 308 displays a limb-brightened morphology, with a central cavity ~22 arcmin in size and a shell thickness of ~8 arcmin. This X-ray shell is confined by the optical shell of ionized material. The spectrum is dominated by the He-like triplets of NIV at 0.43 keV and OVII at 0.57 keV, and declines towards high energies, with a faint tail up to 1 keV. This spectrum can be described by a two-temperature optically thin plasma emission model (T1 ~ 1.1x10^6 K, T2 ~ 13x10^6 K), with a total X-ray luminosity ~2x10^33 erg/s at the assumed distance of 1.5 kpc.

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arXiv2012

The Chandra X-ray Survey of Planetary Nebulae (ChanPlaNS): Probing Binarity, Magnetic Fields, and Wind Collisions

We present an overview of the initial results from the Chandra Planetary Nebula Survey (ChanPlaNS), the first systematic (volume-limited) Chandra X-ray Observatory survey of planetary nebulae (PNe) in the solar neighborhood. The first phase of ChanPlaNS targeted 21 mostly high-excitation PNe within ~1.5 kpc of Earth, yielding 4 detections of diffuse X-ray emission and 9 detections of X-ray-luminous point sources at the central stars (CSPNe) of these objects. Combining these results with those obtained from Chandra archival data for all (14) other PNe within ~1.5 kpc that have been observed to date, we find an overall X-ray detection rate of ~70%. Roughly 50% of the PNe observed by Chandra harbor X-ray-luminous CSPNe, while soft, diffuse X-ray emission tracing shocks formed by energetic wind collisions is detected in ~30%; five objects display both diffuse and point-like emission components. The presence of X-ray sources appears correlated with PN density structure, in that molecule-poor, elliptical nebulae are more likely to display X-ray emission (either point-like or diffuse) than molecule-rich, bipolar or Ring-like nebulae. All but one of the X-ray point sources detected at CSPNe display X-ray spectra that are harder than expected from hot (~100 kK) central star photospheres, possibly indicating a high frequency of binary companions to CSPNe. Other potential explanations include self-shocking winds or PN mass fallback. Most PNe detected as diffuse X-ray sources are elliptical nebulae that display a nested shell/halo structure and bright ansae; the diffuse X-ray emission regions are confined within inner, sharp-rimmed shells. All sample PNe that display diffuse X-ray emission have inner shell dynamical ages <~5x10^3 yr, placing firm constraints on the timescale for strong shocks due to wind interactions in PNe.

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arXiv2012

NGC 6778: a disrupted planetary nebula around a binary central star

The planetary nebula (PN) NGC 6778 harbors a binary central star with a short orbital period and displays two systems of fast collimated outflows. In order to assess the influence of the evolution through a common-envelope phase of the binary system of NGC 6778 on its formation and shaping, we have used narrow-band images and high-dispersion long-slit spectra of the nebula to investigate its detailed morphology and kinematics. We find that the overall structure of NGC 6778 can be described as a bipolar PN. The equatorial ring is highly disrupted and many radial features (filamentary wisps and cometary knots) also evidence strong dynamical effects. There are clear connections between the bipolar lobes and the fast collimated outflows: the collimated outflows seem to arise from bright knots at the tips of the bipolar lobes, whereas the kinematics of the bipolar lobes is distorted. We suggest that the interaction of the fast collimated outflows of NGC 6778 with its nebular envelope has resulted in the disruption of the nebular shell and equatorial ring.

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arXiv2011

The collimated outflows of the planetary nebula Hu1-2: proper motion and radial velocity measurements

Hu\,1-2 is a planetary nebula that contains an isolated knot located northwestern of the main nebula, which could be related to a collimated outflow. We present a subsarcsecond H$α$+[N\,{\sc ii}] image and a high-resolution, long-slit spectrum of Hu\,1-2 that allow us to identify the southeastern counterpart of the northwestern knot and to establish their high velocity ($>$ 340 km\,s$^{-1}$), collimated bipolar outflow nature. The detection of the northwestern knot in POSS red plates allows us to carry out a proper motion analysis by combining three POSS red plates and two narrow-band H$α$+[N\,{\sc ii}] CCD images, with a time baseline of $\simeq$ 57 yr. A proper motion of 20 $\pm$ 6\,mas\,yr$^{-1}$ along position angle 312$^{\circ}$ $\pm$ 15$^{\circ}$, and a dynamical age of 1375$^{+590}$\llap{$_{-320}$}\,yr are obtained for the bipolar outflow. The measured proper motion and the spatio-kinematical properties of the bipolar outflow yield a lower limit of 2.7\,kpc for the distance to Hu\,1-2.

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arXiv2011

Discovery of a Be/X-ray pulsar binary and associated supernova remnant in the Wing of the SMC

We report on a new Be/X-ray pulsar binary located in the Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The strong pulsed X-ray source was discovered with the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories. The X-ray pulse period of 1062 s is consistently determined from both Chandra and XMM-Newton observations, revealing one of the slowest rotating X-ray pulsars known in the SMC. The optical counterpart of the X-ray source is the emission-line star 2dFS 3831. Its B0-0.5(III)e+ spectral type is determined from VLT-FLAMES and 2dF optical spectroscopy, establishing the system as a Be/X-ray binary (Be-XRB). The hard X-ray spectrum is well fitted by a power-law with additional thermal and blackbody components, the latter reminiscent of persistent Be-XRBs. This system is the first evidence of a recent supernova in the low density surroundings of NGC 602. We detect a shell nebula around 2dFS 3831 in H-alpha and [O III] images and conclude that it is most likely a supernova remnant. If it is linked to the supernova explosion that created this new X-ray pulsar, its kinematic age of (2-4)x10^4 yr provides a constraint on the age of the pulsar.

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arXiv2010

High Resolution Spectroscopy of the Planetary Nebulae PM1-242, PM1-318 and PM1-322

We have recently confirmed the planetary nebula (PN)nature of PM1-242, PM1-318 and PM1-322. Here we present high-resolution long-slit spectra of these three PNe in order to analyze their internal kinematics and to investigate their physical structure. PM1-242 is a tilted ring and not an elliptical PN as suggested by direct images. The object is probably related to ring-like PNe and shows an unusual point-symmetric brightness distribution in the ring. PM1-318 is a pole-on elliptical PN, instead of a circular one as suggested by direct images. PM1-322 is spatially unresolved and its spectrum shows large differences between the forbidden lines and H$α$ profiles, with the latter showing a double-peaked profile and relatively extended wings (FWZI $\sim$ 325 km\,s$^{-1}$). These properties are found in other PNe that are suspected to host a symbiotic central star.

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arXiv2010

Sub-arcsecond Morphology of Planetary Nebulae

Planetary nebulae (PNe) can be roughly categorized into several broad morphological classes. The high quality images of PNe acquired in recent years, however, have revealed a wealth of fine structures that preclude simplistic models for their formation. Here we present narrow-band, sub-arcsecond images of a sample of relatively large PNe that illustrate the complexity and variety of small-scale structures. This is especially true for bipolar PNe, for which the images reveal multi-polar ejections and, in some cases, suggest turbulent gas motions. Our images also reveal the presence or signs of jet-like outflows in several objects in which this kind of component has not been previously reported.

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arXiv2009

Detection of the high z GRB 080913 and its implications on progenitors and energy extraction mechanisms

Aims: We present multiwavelength observations of one of the most distant gamma-ray bursts detected so far, GRB 080913. Based on these observations, we consider whether it could be classified as a short-duration GRB and discuss the implications for the progenitor nature and energy extraction mechanisms. Methods: Multiwavelength X-ray, near IR and millimetre observations were made between 20.7 hours and 16.8 days after the event. Results: Whereas a very faint afterglow was seen at the 3.5m CAHA telescope in the nIR, the X-ray afterglow was clearly detected in both Swift and XMM-Newton observations. An upper limit is reported in the mm range. We have modeled the data assuming a collimated $θ_0$ $\gtrsim$ 3$^\circ$ blast wave with an energy injection at 0.5 days carrying $5\sim 10^{52}$ erg or approximately 12 times the initial energy of the blast wave. We find that GRB 080913 shares many of the gamma-ray diagnostics with the more recent burst GRB 090423 for being classified as short had they ocurred at low redshift. If the progenitor were a compact binary merger, it is likely composed by a NS and BH. The Blandford-Znajek (BZ) mechanism is the preferred one to extract energy from the central, maximally-rotating BH. Both the magnetic field close to the event horizon (B) and the BH mass ($M_{bh}$) are restricted within a relatively narrow range, such that $(B / 3\times 10^{16} \rm{G}) (M_{bh} / 7 M_\odot) \sim 1$. Similar constraints on the central BH hold for collapsar-like progenitor systems if the BZ-mechanism works for the system at hand.

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arXiv2009

Spitzer 24 um Images of Planetary Nebulae

Spitzer MIPS 24 um images were obtained for 36 Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) whose central stars are hot white dwarfs (WDs) or pre-WDs with effective temperatures of ~100,000 K or higher. Diffuse 24 um emission is detected in 28 of these PNe. The eight non-detections are angularly large PNe with very low H-alpha surface brightnesses. We find three types of correspondence between the 24 um emission and H-alpha line emission of these PNe: six show 24 um emission more extended than H-alpha emission, nine have a similar extent at 24 um and H-alpha, and 13 show diffuse 24 um emission near the center of the H-alpha shell. The sizes and surface brightnesses of these three groups of PNe and the non-detections suggest an evolutionary sequence, with the youngest ones being brightest and the most evolved ones undetected. The 24 um band emission from these PNe is attributed to [O IV] 25.9 um and [Ne V] 24.3 um line emission and dust continuum emission, but the relative contributions of these three components depend on the temperature of the central star and the distribution of gas and dust in the nebula.

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arXiv2009

Searching Heavily Obscured Post-AGB Stars and Planetary Nebulae I. IRAS Candidates with 2MASS PSC Counterparts

The transition from the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) to the planetary nebula (PN) phase is critical in the shaping of PNe. It is suggested that the most asymmetric PNe are the descendant of massive AGB stars. Since these AGB stars are believed to evolve into heavily obscured post-AGB stars and PNe, the compilation of a sample of bona fide obscured post-AGB stars and PNe is important to help understand the formation of asymmetric PNe. We have used 2MASS, Spitzer GLIMPSE, MSX, and IRAS data in search of the near-IR counterparts of a sample of 165 presumably obscured IRAS post-AGB and PN candidates, and DSS red images to identify the optical counterparts among the objects detected in the near-IR. The IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the wavelength range from 1 to 100 microns of the sources with unambiguous near-IR counterparts have been analyzed using appropriate colour-colour diagrams. We have identified the near-IR counterparts of 119 sources out of the 165 IRAS post-AGB and PN candidates in our sample. The improved astrometric coordinates of these sources have allowed us to find optical counterparts for 59 of them, yielding a reduced sample of 60 optically obscured post-AGB star and PN candidates. Among the 119 sources with near-IR counterparts, only 80 have unambiguous identifications in the 2MASS Point Source Catalogue.

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