arXiv subjects

M. D. Filipovic

Publications and source records attributed to M. D. Filipovic.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

The MeerKAT 1.3 GHz Survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present new radio continuum images and a source catalogue from the MeerKAT survey in the direction of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The observations, at a central frequency of 1.3 GHz across a bandwidth of 0.8 GHz, encompass a field of view ~7 x 7 degrees and result in images with resolution of 8 arcsec. The median broad-band Stokes I image Root Mean Squared noise value is ~11 microJy/beam. The catalogue produced from these images contains 108,330 point sources and 517 compact extended sources. We also describe a UHF (544-1088 MHz) single pointing observation. We report the detection of a new confirmed Supernova Remnant (SNR) (MCSNR J0100-7211) with an X-ray magnetar at its centre and 10 new SNR candidates. This is in addition to the detection of 21 previously confirmed SNRs and two previously noted SNR candidates. Our new SNR candidates have typical surface brightness an order of magnitude below those previously known, and on the whole they are larger. The high sensitivity of the MeerKAT survey also enabled us to detect the bright end of the SMC Planetary Nebulae (PNe) sample - point-like radio emission is associated with 38 of 102 optically known PNe, of which 19 are new detections. Lastly, we present the detection of three foreground radio stars amidst 11 circularly polarised sources, and a few examples of morphologically interesting background radio galaxies from which the radio ring galaxy ESO 029-G034 may represent a new type of radio object.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Magnetic Field Reversal around an Active Fast Radio Burst

The environment of actively repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) has been shown to be complex and varying. The recently localized FRB 20190520B is extremely active, has the largest confirmed host dispersion measure, and is only the second FRB source associated with a compact, persistent radio source (PRS). The main tracer of the magneto-ionic environments is the rotation measure (RM), a path-integral of the line-of-sight component of magnetic field strength (B) and electron density, which does not allow a direct probe of the B-field configuration. Here we report direct evidence for a B-field reversal based on the observed sign change and extreme variation of FRB 20190520B's RM, which changed from $\sim10000$ rad m$^{-2}$ to $\sim-16000$ rad m$^{-2}$ between June 2021 and January 2022. Such extreme RM reversal has never been observed before in any FRB nor in any astronomical object. The implied short-term change of the B-field configuration in or around the FRB could be due to the vicinity of massive black holes, or a magnetized companion star in binary systems, or a young supernova remnant along the line of sight.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

An Expanding Shell of Neutral Hydrogen Associated with SN 1006: Hints for the Single-Degenerate Origin and Faint Hadronic Gamma-Rays

We report new HI observations of the Type Ia supernova remnant SN 1006 using the Australia Telescope Compact Array with an angular resolution of $4.5' \times 1.4'$ ($\sim$2 pc at the assumed SNR distance of 2.2 kpc). We find an expanding gas motion in position-velocity diagrams of HI with an expansion velocity of $\sim$4 km s$^{-1}$ and a mass of $\sim$1000 $M_\odot$. The spatial extent of the expanding shell is roughly the same as that of SN 1006. We here propose a hypothesis that SN 1006 exploded inside the wind-blown bubble formed by accretion winds from the progenitor system consisting of a white dwarf and a companion star, and then the forward shock has already reached the wind wall. This scenario is consistent with the single-degenerate model. We also derived the total energy of cosmic-ray protons $W_\mathrm{p}$ to be only $\sim$1.2-$2.0 \times 10^{47}$ erg by adopting the averaged interstellar proton density of $\sim$25 cm$^{-3}$. The small value is compatible with the relation between the age and $W_\mathrm{p}$ of other gamma-ray supernova remnants with ages below $\sim$6 kyr. The $W_\mathrm{p}$ value in SN 1006 will possibly increase up to several 10$^{49}$ erg in the next $\sim$5 kyr via the cosmic-ray diffusion into the HI wind-shell.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Physical Properties of the Supernova Remnant Population in the Small Magellanic Cloud

The X-ray emission from a supernova remnant is a powerful diagnostic of the state of its shocked plasma. The temperature and the emission measure are related to the energy of the explosion, the age of the remnant, and the density of the surrounding medium. Here we present the results of a study of the remnant population of the Small Magellanic Cloud. Progress in X-ray observations of remnants has resulted in a sample of 20 remnants in the Small Magellanic Clound with measured temperatures and emission measures. We apply spherically symmetric supernova remnant evolution models to this set of remnants, to estimate ages, explosion energies, and circumstellar medium densities. The distribution of ages yields a remnant birthrate of $\sim$1/1200 yr. The energies and densities are well fit with log-normal distributions, with means of 1.6$\times10^{51}$ erg and 0.14 cm$^{-3}$, and 1$σ$ dispersions of a factor of 1.87 in energy and 3.06 in density, respectively.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Detection of strong scattering close to the eclipse region of PSR B1957+20

We present the first measurement of pulse scattering close to the eclipse region of PSR B1957+20, which is in a compact binary system with a low-mass star. We measured pulse scattering time-scales up to 0.2 ms close to the eclipse and showed that it scales with the dispersion measure (DM) excess roughly as $τ\proptoΔ{\rm DM}^{2}$. Our observations provide the first evidence of strong scattering due to multi-path propagation effects in the eclipsing material. We show that Kolmogorov turbulence in the eclipsing material with an inner scale of $\sim100$ m and an outer scale of the size of the eclipse region can naturally explain the observation. Our results show that the eclipsing material in such systems can be highly turbulent and suggest that scattering is one of the main eclipsing mechanisms at around 1.4 GHz.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

New XMM-Newton observations of faint, evolved supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) hosts a rich population of supernova remnants (SNRs), our knowledge of which is the most complete of any galaxy. However, there remain many candidate SNRs, identified through optical and radio observations where additional X-ray data can confirm their SNR nature and provide details on their physical properties. In this paper we present XMM-Newton observations that provide the first deep X-ray coverage of ten objects, comprising eight candidates and two previously confirmed SNRs. We perform multi-frequency studies using additional data from the Magellanic Cloud Emission Line Survey (MCELS) to investigate their broadband emission and used Spitzer data to understand the environment in which the objects are evolving. We confirm seven of the eight candidates as bona-fide SNRs. We used a multi-frequency morphological study to determine the position and size of the remnants. We identify two new members of the class of evolved Fe-rich remnants in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs), several SNRs well into their Sedov-phase, one SNR likely projected towards a HII region, and a faint, evolved SNR with a hard X-ray core which could indicate a pulsar wind nebula. Overall, the seven newly confirmed SNRs represent a ~10% increase in the number of LMC remnants, bringing the total number to 71, and provide further insight into the fainter population of X-ray SNRs.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Spitzer and Herschel studies of dust in supernova remnants in the Small Magellanic Cloud

With the entire Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) mapped by the Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory, we were able to search 8-250 micron images in order to identify infrared (IR) emission associated with SMC supernova remnants (SNRs). A valid detection had to correspond with known X-ray, Halpha and radio emission from the SNRs. From the 24 known SNRs, we made 5 positive detections with another 5 possible detections. Two detections are associated with pulsars or pulsar wind nebula, and another three detections are part of the extended nebulous emission from the SNRs. We modelled dust emission where fast moving electrons are predicted to collide and heat dust grains which then radiate in IR. With known distance (62.44+-0.47kpc), measured SNR sizes, electron densities, temperatures from X-ray emission as well as hydrogen densities, the modelling of SMC SNRs is straightforward. If the higher range of hydrogen and electron densities were to be accepted, we would expect almost all SMC SNRs to be detected in the IR, at least at 24 micron, but the actual detection rate is only 25%. One possible and common explanation for this discrepancy is that small grains have been destroyed by the SNRs shockwave. However, within the uncertainties of hydrogen and electron densities, we find that infrared dust emission can be explained reasonably well, without invoking dust destruction. There is no conclusive evidence that SNRs destroy swept-up ISM dust.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Determining the Neutrino Mass Ordering and Oscillation Parameters with KM3NeT/ORCA

The next generation of water Cherenkov neutrino telescopes in the Mediterranean Sea are under construction offshore France (KM3NeT/ORCA) and Sicily (KM3NeT/ARCA). The KM3NeT/ORCA detector features an energy detection threshold which allows to collect atmospheric neutrinos to study flavour oscillation. This paper reports the KM3NeT/ORCA sensitivity to this phenomenon. The event reconstruction, selection and classification are described. The sensitivity to determine the neutrino mass ordering was evaluated and found to be 4.4 $σ$ if the true ordering is normal and 2.3 $σ$ if inverted, after three years of data taking. The precision to measure $Δm^2_{32}$ and $θ_{23}$ were also estimated and found to be $85\cdot10^{-6}$ eV$^2$ and $(^{+1.9}_{-3.1})^{\circ}$ for normal neutrino mass ordering and, $75\cdot10^{-6}$ eV$^2$ and $(^{+2.0}_{-7.0})^{\circ}$ for inverted ordering. Finally, a unitarity test of the leptonic mixing matrix by measuring the rate of tau neutrinos is described. Three years of data taking were found to be sufficient to exclude $ν_τ$ and $\barν_τ$ event rate variations larger than 20% at $3σ$ level.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Sensitivity to light sterile neutrino mixing parameters with KM3NeT/ORCA

KM3NeT/ORCA is a next-generation neutrino telescope optimised for atmospheric neutrino oscillations studies. In this paper, the sensitivity of ORCA to the presence of a light sterile neutrino in a 3+1 model is presented. After three years of data taking, ORCA will be able to probe the active-sterile mixing angles $θ_{14}$, $θ_{24}$, $θ_{34}$ and the effective angle $θ_{μe}$, over a broad range of mass squared difference $Δm^2_{41} \sim [10^{-5}, 10]$ $\rm{eV}^2$, allowing to test the eV-mass sterile neutrino hypothesis as the origin of short baseline anomalies, as well as probing the hypothesis of a very light sterile neutrino, not yet constrained by cosmology. ORCA will be able to explore a relevant fraction of the parameter space not yet reached by present measurements.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Nanobeacon: A time calibration device for the KM3NeT neutrino telescope

The KM3NeT Collaboration is currently constructing a multi-site high-energy neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea consisting of matrices of pressure-resistant glass spheres, each holding a set of 31 small-area photomultipliers. The main goals of the telescope are the observation of neutrino sources in the Universe and the measurement of the neutrino oscillation parameters with atmospheric neutrinos. Both extraterrestrial and atmospheric neutrinos are detected through the Cherenkov light induced in seawater by charged particles produced in neutrino interactions in the surrounding medium. A relative time synchronization between photomultipliers of the order of 1 ns is needed to guarantee the required angular resolution of the detector. Due to the large detector volumes to be instrumented by KM3NeT, a cost reduction of the different systems is a priority. To this end, the inexpensive Nanobeacon has been designed and developed by the KM3NeT Collaboration to be used for detector time-calibration studies. At present, more than 600 Nanobeacons have been already produced. The characterization of the optical pulse and the wavelength emission profile of the devices are critical for the time calibration. In this paper, the main features of the Nanobeacon design, production and operation, together with the main properties of the light pulse generated are described.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Combined sensitivity of JUNO and KM3NeT/ORCA to the neutrino mass ordering

This article presents the potential of a combined analysis of the JUNO and KM3NeT/ORCA experiments to determine the neutrino mass ordering. This combination is particularly interesting as it significantly boosts the potential of either detector, beyond simply adding their neutrino mass ordering sensitivities, by removing a degeneracy in the determination of $Δm_{31}^2$ between the two experiments when assuming the wrong ordering. The study is based on the latest projected performances for JUNO, and on simulation tools using a full Monte Carlo approach to the KM3NeT/ORCA response with a careful assessment of its energy systematics. From this analysis, a $5σ$ determination of the neutrino mass ordering is expected after 6 years of joint data taking for any value of the oscillation parameters. This sensitivity would be achieved after only 2 years of joint data taking assuming the current global best-fit values for those parameters for normal ordering.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

Associated molecular and atomic clouds with X-ray shell of superbubble 30 Doradus C in the LMC

30 Doradus C is a superbubble which emits the brightest nonthermal X- and TeV gamma-rays in the Local Group. In order to explore detailed connection between the high energy radiation and the interstellar medium, we have carried out new CO and HI observations using the Atacama Large Millimeter$/$Submillimeter Array (ALMA), Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment, and the Australia Telescope Compact Array with resolutions of up to 3 pc. The ALMA data of $^{12}$CO($J$ = 1-0) emission revealed 23 molecular clouds with the typical diameters of $\sim$6-12 pc and masses of $\sim$600-10000 $M_{\odot}$. The comparison with the X-rays of $XMM$-$Newton$ at $\sim$3 pc resolution shows that X-rays are enhanced toward these clouds. The CO data were combined with the HI to estimate the total interstellar protons. Comparison of the interstellar proton column density and the X-rays revealed that the X-rays are enhanced with the total proton. These are most likely due to the shock-cloud interaction modeled by the magnetohydrodynamical simulations (Inoue et al. 2012, ApJ, 744, 71). Further, we note a trend that the X-ray photon index varies with distance from the center of the high-mass star cluster, suggesting that the cosmic-ray electrons are accelerated by one or multiple supernovae in the cluster. Based on these results we discuss the role of the interstellar medium in cosmic-ray particle acceleration.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Origin and role of relativistic cosmic particles

This white paper briefly summarizes the importance of the study of relativistic cosmic rays, both as a constituent of our Universe, and through their impact on stellar and galactic evolution. The focus is on what can be learned over the coming decade through ground-based gamma-ray observations over the 20 GeV to 300 TeV range. The majority of the material is drawn directly from "Science with the Cherenkov Telescope Array", which describes the overall science case for CTA. We request that authors wishing to cite results contained in this white paper cite the original work.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Probing Dark Matter and Fundamental Physics with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Astrophysical observations provide strong evidence that more than 80% of all matter in the Universe is in the form of dark matter (DM). Two leading candidates of particles beyond the Standard Model that could constitute all or a fraction of the DM content are the so-called Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and Axion-Like Particles (ALPs). The upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array, which will observe gamma rays between 20 GeV and 300 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity, will have unique capabilities to search for these DM candidates. A particularly promising target for WIMP searches is the Galactic Center. WIMPs with annihilation cross sections correctly producing the DM relic density will be detectable with CTA, assuming an Einasto-like density profile and WIMP masses between 200 GeV and 10 TeV. Regarding new physics beyond DM, CTA observations will also enable tests of fundamental symmetries of nature such as Lorentz invariance.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Multi-messenger and transient astrophysics with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The discovery of gravitational waves, high-energy neutrinos or the very-high-energy counterpart of gamma-ray bursts has revolutionized the high-energy and transient astrophysics community. The development of new instruments and analysis techniques will allow the discovery and/or follow-up of new transient sources. We describe the prospects for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory, for multi-messenger and transient astrophysics in the decade ahead. CTA will explore the most extreme environments via very-high-energy observations of compact objects, stellar collapse events, mergers and cosmic-ray accelerators.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Probing extreme environments with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The physics of the non-thermal Universe provides information on the acceleration mechanisms in extreme environments, such as black holes and relativistic jets, neutron stars, supernovae or clusters of galaxies. In the presence of magnetic fields, particles can be accelerated towards relativistic energies. As a consequence, radiation along the entire electromagnetic spectrum can be observed, and extreme environments are also the most likely sources of multi-messenger emission. The most energetic part of the electromagnetic spectrum corresponds to the very-high-energy (VHE, E>100 GeV) gamma-ray regime, which can be extensively studied with ground based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs). The results obtained by the current generation of IACTs, such as H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and VERITAS, demonstrate the crucial importance of the VHE band in understanding the non-thermal emission of extreme environments in our Universe. In some objects, the energy output in gamma rays can even outshine the rest of the broadband spectrum. The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next generation of IACTs, which, with cutting edge technology and a strategic configuration of ~100 telescopes distributed in two observing sites, in the northern and southern hemispheres, will reach better sensitivity, angular and energy resolution, and broader energy coverage than currently operational IACTs. With CTA we can probe the most extreme environments and considerably boost our knowledge of the non-thermal Universe.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

IKT16: Discovery of a 22 ms energetic rotation-powered pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We report here on the discovery with XMM-Newton of pulsations at 22 ms from the central compact source associated with IKT16, a supernova remnant in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The measured spin period and spin period derivative correspond to 21.7661076(2) ms and $2.9(3)\times10^{-14}$ s,s$^{-1}$, respectively. Assuming standard spin-down by magnetic dipole radiation, the spin-down power corresponds to $1.1\times10^{38}$,erg,s$^{-1}$ implying a Crab-like pulsar. This makes it the most energetic pulsar discovered in the SMC so far and a close analogue of PSR J0537--6910, a Crab-like pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The characteristic age of the pulsar is 12 kyr. Having for the first time a period measure for this source, we also searched for the signal in archival data collected in radio with the Parkes telescope and in Gamma-rays with the Fermi/LAT, but no evidence for pulsation was found in these energy bands.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Determination of Planetary Nebulae angular diameters from radio continuum Spectral Energy Distribution modeling

Powerful new, high resolution, high sensitivity, multi-frequency, wide-field radio surveys such as the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) are emerging. They will offer fresh opportunities to undertake new determinations of useful parameters for various kinds of extended astrophysical phenomena. Here, we consider specific application to angular size determinations of Planetary Nebulae (PNe) via a new radio continuum Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) fitting technique. We show that robust determinations of angular size can be obtained, comparable to the best optical and radio observations but with the potential for consistent application across the population. This includes unresolved and/or heavily obscured PNe that are extremely faint or even non-detectable in the optical.

astro-ph.GA↗