arXiv subjects

M. Gromadzki

Publications and source records attributed to M. Gromadzki.

180 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Supernova 2013by: A Type IIL Supernova with a IIP-like light curve drop

We present multi-band ultraviolet and optical light curves, as well as visual-wavelength and near-infrared spectroscopy of the Type II linear (IIL) supernova (SN) 2013by. We show that SN 2013by and other SNe IIL in the literature, after their linear decline phase that start after maximum, have a sharp light curve decline similar to that seen in Type II plateau (IIP) supernovae. This light curve feature has rarely been observed in other SNe IIL due to their relative rarity and the intrinsic faintness of this particular phase of the light curve. We suggest that the presence of this drop could be used as a physical parameter to distinguish between subclasses of SNe II, rather than their light curve decline rate shortly after peak. Close inspection of the spectra of SN 2013by indicate asymmetric line profiles and signatures of high-velocity hydrogen. Late (less than 90 days after explosion) near-infrared spectra of SN 2013by exhibit oxygen lines, indicating significant mixing within the ejecta. From the late-time light curve, we estimate that 0.029 solar mass of 56Ni was synthesized during the explosion. It is also shown that the V -band light curve slope is responsible for part of the scatter in the luminosity (V magnitude 50 days after explosion) vs. 56Ni relation. Our observations of SN 2013by and other SNe IIL through the onset of the nebular phase indicate that their progenitors are similar to those of SNe IIP.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Temperature constraints on the coldest brown dwarf known WISE 0855-0714

Context. Nearby isolated planetary mass objects are beginning to be discovered, but their individual properties are poorly constrained because their low surface temperatures and strong molecular self-absorption make them extremely faint. Aims. We aimed to detect the near infrared emission of the coldest brown dwarf (BD) found so far, WISE0855$-$0714, located $\sim$2.2 pc away, and to improve its temperature estimate (T$_{\rm eff}$= 225-260 K) from a comparison with state-of-the-art models of BD atmospheres. Methods. We observed the field containing WISE0855-0714 with HAWK-I at the VLT in the $Y$ band. For BDs with T$_{\rm eff}<$500\,K theoretical models predict strong signal (or rather less molecular absorption) in this band. Results. WISE0855-0714 was not detected in our Y-band images, thus placing an upper limit on its brightness to Y>24.4 mag at 3-$σ$ level, leading to Y-[4.5]>10.5. Combining this limit with previous detections and upper limits at other wavelengths, WISE0855$-$0714 is confirmed as the reddest BD detected, further supporting its status as the coldest known brown dwarf. We applied spectral energy distribution fitting with collections of models from two independent groups for extremely cool BD atmospheres leading to an effective temperature of T$_{\rm eff}<$250\,K,.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Discovery of a new Y dwarf: WISE J030449.03-270508.3

We present a new Y dwarf, WISE J030449.03-270508.3, confirmed from a candidate sample designed to pick out low temperature objects from the WISE database. The new object is typed Y0pec following a visual comparison with spectral standards, and lies at a likely distance of 10-17 pc. Its tangential velocity suggests thin disk membership, but it shows some spectral characteristics that suggest it may be metal-poor and/or older than previously identified Y0 dwarfs. Based on trends seen for warmer late type T dwarfs, the Y-band flux peak morphology is indicative of sub-solar metallicity, and the enhanced red wing of the J-band flux peak offers evidence for high gravity and/or low metallicity (with associated model trends suggesting an age closer to ~10 Gyr and mass in the range 0.02-0.03 Mo). This object may thus be extending the population parameter-space of the known Y0 dwarfs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

New galactic star clusters discovered in the VVV survey. Candidates projected on the inner disk and bulge

VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) is one of six ESO Public Surveys using the 4 meter Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA). The VVV survey covers the Milky Way bulge and an adjacent section of the disk, and one of the principal objectives is to search for new star clusters within previously unreachable obscured parts of the Galaxy. The primary motivation behind this work is to discover and analyze obscured star clusters in the direction of the inner Galactic disk and bulge. Regions of the inner disk and bulge covered by the VVV survey were visually inspected using composite JHKs color images to select new cluster candidates on the basis of apparent overdensities. DR1, DR2, CASU, and PSF photometry of 10x10 arcmin fields centered on each candidate cluster were used to construct color-magnitude and color-color diagrams. Follow-up spectroscopy of the brightest members of several cluster candidates was obtained in order to clarify their nature. We report the discovery of 58 new infrared cluster candidates. Fundamental parameters such as age, distance, and metallicity were determined for 20 of the most populous clusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Proper motions and brown dwarfs with the VVV survey

The Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea survey (VVV) is a near-IR ESO public survey devoted to study the Galactic bulge and southern inner disk covering 560 deg$^2$ on the sky. This multi-epoch and multi-wavelength survey has helped to discover the first brown dwarfs towards the Galactic center, one of the most crowded areas in the sky, and several low mass companions to known nearby stars. The multi-epoch information has allowed us to calculate precise parallaxes, and put some constraints on the long-term variability of these objects. We expect to discover above a hundred more brown dwarfs. The VVV survey makes a great synergy with the Gaia mission, as both will observe for a few years the same fields at different wavelengths, and as VVV is more sensitive to very red objects such as brown dwarfs, VVV might provide unique candidates to follow up eventual astrometric microlensing events thank to the exquisite astrometric precision of the Gaia mission.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Massive open star clusters using the VVV survey III: A young massive cluster at the far edge of the Galactic bar

Context: Young massive clusters are key to map the Milky Way's structure, and near-IR large area sky surveys have contributed strongly to the discovery of new obscured massive stellar clusters. Aims: We present the third article in a series of papers focused on young and massive clusters discovered in the VVV survey. This article is dedicated to the physical characterization of VVV CL086, using part of its OB-stellar population. Methods: We physically characterized the cluster using $JHK_S$ near-infrared photometry from ESO public survey VVV images, using the VVV-SkZ pipeline, and near-infrared $K$-band spectroscopy, following the methodology presented in the first article of the series. Results: Individual distances for two observed stars indicate that the cluster is located at the far edge of the Galactic bar. These stars, which are probable cluster members from the statistically field-star decontaminated CMD, have spectral types between O9 and B0V. According to our analysis, this young cluster ($1.0$ Myr $<$ age $< 5.0$ Myr) is located at a distance of $11^{+5}_{-6}$ kpc, and we estimate a lower limit for the cluster total mass of $(2.8^{+1.6}_{-1.4})\cdot10^3 {M}_{\odot}$. It is likely that the cluster contains even earlier and more massive stars.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Chemical abundance analysis of symbiotic giants. I. RW Hya and SY Mus

The study of symbiotic systems is of considerable importance in our understanding of binary system stellar evolution in systems where mass loss or transfer takes place. Elemental abundances are of special significance since they can be used to track mass exchange. However, there are few symbiotic giants for which the abundances are fairly well determined. Here we present for the first time a detailed analysis of the chemical composition for the giants in the RW Hya and SY Mus systems. The analysis is based on high resolution (R 50000), high S/N, near-IR spectra. Spectrum synthesis employing standard LTE analysis and atmosphere models was used to obtain photospheric abundances of CNO and elements around the iron peak (Sc, Ti, Fe, and Ni). Our analysis reveals a significantly sub-solar metallicity, [Fe/H]-0.75}, for the RW Hya giant confirming its membership in the Galactic halo population and a near-solar metallicity for the SY Mus giant. The very low 12C/13C isotopic ratios, 6-10, derived for both objects indicate that the giants have experienced the first dredge-up

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Light curves of symbiotic stars in massive photomeric surveys II: S and D'-type systems

We present results of period analysis of ASAS, MACHO and OGLE light curves of 79 symbiotic stars classified as S and D'-type. The light curves of 58 objects show variations with the orbital period. In case of 34 objects, orbital periods are estimated for the first time, what increases the number of symbiotic stars with known orbital periods by about 64 %. The light curves of 46 objects show, in addition to the long-term or/and orbital variations, short-term variations with time scales of 50-200 days most likely due to stellar pulsations of the cool giant component. We also report eclipse-like minima and outbursts present in many of the light curves.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

VVV High Proper Motion Survey

Here we present survey of proper motion stars towards the Galactic Bulge and an adjacent plane region base on VISTA-VVV data. The searching method based on cross-matching photometric Ks-band CASU catalogs. The most interesting discoveries are shown.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

One more neighbor: The first brown dwarf in the VVV survey

Context. The discovery of brown dwarfs (BDs) in the solar neighborhood and young star clusters has helped to constraint the low-mass end of the stellar mass function and the initial mass function. We use data of the Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV), a near-infrared (NIR) multiwavelength (Z Y J H Ks) multi-epoch (Ks) ESO Public Survey mapping the Milky Way bulge and southern Galactic plane to search for nearby BDs. Aims. The ultimate aim of the project is to improve the completeness of the census of nearby stellar and substellar objects towards the Galactic bulge and inner disk regions. Methods. Taking advantage of the homogeneous sample of VVV multi-epoch data, we identified stars with high proper motion (> 0.1"/yr), and then selected low-mass objects using NIR colors. We searched for a possible parallax signature using the all available Ks band epochs. We set some constraints on the month-to-year scale Ks band variability of our candidates, and even searched for possible transiting companions. We obtained NIR spectra to properly classify spectral type and then the physical properties of the final list of candidates. Results. We report the discovery of VVV BD001, a new member of the local volume-limited sample (within 20pc from the sun) with well defined proper motion, distance, and luminosity. The spectral type of this new object is an L5+-1, unusually blue dwarf. The proper motion for this BD is PM(α)=-0.5455+-0.004 "/yr, PM(δ)=-0.3255+-0.004 "/yr, and it has a parallax of 57+-4 mas which translates into a distance of 17.5 +- 1.1 pc. VVV BD001 shows no evidence of variability (ΔKs <0.05mag) over two years, especially constrained on a six month scale during the year 2012.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

A deep WISE search for very late type objects and the discovery of two halo/thick-disk T dwarfs: WISE 0013+0634 and WISE 0833+0052

A method is defined for identifying late T and Y dwarfs in WISE down to low values of signal-to-noise. This requires a WISE detection only in the W2-band and uses the statistical properties of the WISE multi-frame measurements and profile fit photometry to reject contamination resulting from non-point-like objects, variables and moving sources. To trace our desired parameter space we use a control sample of isolated non-moving non-variable point sources from the SDSS, and identify a sample of 158 WISE W2-only candidates down to a signal-to-noise limit of 8. For signal-to-noise ranges >10 and 8-10 respectively, ~45% and ~90% of our sample fall outside the selection criteria published by the WISE team (Kirkpatrick et al. 2012), due mainly to the type of constraints placed on the number of individual W2 detections. We present follow-up of eight candidates and identify WISE 0013+0634 and WISE 0833+0052, T8 and T9 dwarfs with high proper motion (~1.3 and ~1.8 arcsec/yr). Both objects show a mid-infrared/near-infrared excess of ~1-1.5 magnitudes, and are K-band suppressed. Distance estimates lead to space motion constraints that suggest halo (or at least thick disk) kinematics. We then assess the reduced proper motion diagram of WISE ultracool dwarfs, which suggests that late T and Y dwarfs may have a higher thick-disk/halo population fraction than earlier objects.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

International observational campaigns of the last two eclipses in EE Cephei: 2003 and 2008/9

Two observational campaigns were carried out during the eclipses of EE Cep in 2003 and 2008/9 to verify whether the eclipsing body in the system is indeed a dark disk and to understand the observed changes in the depth and durations of the eclipses. Multicolour photometric data and spectroscopic observations at both low and high resolution were collected. We numerically modelled the variations in brightness and colour during the eclipses. We tested models with different disk structure. We considered the possibility of disk precession. The complete set of observational data collected during the last three eclipses are made available to the astronomical community. Two blue maxima in the colour indices were detected during these two eclipses, one before and one after the photometric minimum. The first (stronger) blue maximum is simultaneous with a "bump" that is very clear in all the UBVRI light curves. Variations in the spectral line profiles seem to be recurrent during each cycle. NaI lines always show at least three absorption components during the eclipse minimum and strong absorption is superimposed on the H_alpha emission. These observations confirm that the eclipsing object in EE Cep system is indeed a dark, dusty disk around a low luminosity object. The primary appears to be a rapidly rotating Be star that is strongly darkened at the equator and brightened at the poles. Some of the conclusions of this work require verification in future studies: (i) a complex, possibly multi-ring structure of the disk in EE Cep; (ii) our explanation of the "bump" observed during the last two eclipses in terms of the different times of obscuration of the hot polar regions of the Be star by the disk; and (iii) our suggested period of the disk precession (~11-12 P_orb) and predicted depth of about 2 mag the forthcoming eclipse in 2014.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Nature of light variations in the symbiotic binary V417 Cen

V417 Cen is a D'-type symbiotic system surrounded by a faint, extended asymmetric nebula. Optical photometric observations of this object cover last 20 years. They show strong long term modulation with a period of about 1700 days and amplitude about 1.5 mag in V band, in addition to variations with shorter times-scales and much lower amplitudes. In this presentation we discuss possible reasons of these variations.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

Light-curves of symbiotic stars in massive photometric surveys I: D-type systems

ASAS, MACHO, OGLE and SAAO JHKL light curves of 13 stars, that have at some time been classified as D-type symbiotics, are analysed. Most of the near-IR light-curves that have been monitored over many years show long-term changes due to variable dust obscuration, in addition to the stellar pulsation. The distances to these objects are derived from the period-luminosity relation and estimates of the mass-loss rates made from the Ko-[12] colour. We reclassify AS 245 as an S-type symbiotic, with a semi-regular cool component with a pulsation period of about one year. The periods of the large amplitude pulsations of SS73 38 (463 days), AS 210 (423 days) and H2-38 (395 days) are estimated for the first time, confirming that they are symbiotic Miras. A comparison of the symbiotic Miras with normal Miras of similar pulsation period shows that the symbiotic stars have on average higher values of Ko-[12]. This may indicate that they have higher mass-loss rates, or more likely that the dust which is being lost by the Mira is trapped within the binary system.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Keck/HIRES spectroscopy of V838 Monocerotis in October 2005

V838 Mon erupted at the beginning of 2002 becoming an extremely luminous star. Among various scenarios proposed to explain the nature of the outburst the most promising is a stellar merger event. In this paper we investigate the observational properties of the star and its surroundings in the post outburst phase. We have obtained a high resolution optical spectrum of V838 Mon in October 2005 using the Keck I telescope.We have identified numerous atomic features and molecular bands present in the spectrum and provided an atlas of those features. In order to improve the spectrum interpretation we have performed simple modeling of the molecular bands. Our analysis indicates that the spectrum is dominated by molecular absorption features arising in photospheric regions with temperatures of ~2400 K and in colder outer layers, where the temperature decreases down to ~500 K. A number of resonance lines of neutral alkali metals are observed to show P-Cyg profiles. Particularly interesting are numerous prominent emission lines of [FeII]. All of them show practically the same profile, which can be well described by a Lorentzian profile. In the blue part of the spectrum photospheric signatures of the B-type companion are easily seen. We have fitted the observed spectrum with a synthetic one and the obtained parameters are consistent with the B3V type. We have also estimated radial and rotational velocities of the companion.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2009

The spectroscopic orbit and the geometry of R Aqr

R Aqr is one of the closest symbiotic binaries and the only D-type system with radial velocity data suitable for orbital parameters estimation. The aims of our study are to derive a reliable spectroscopic orbit of the Mira component, and to establish connections between the orbital motion and other phenomena shown by R Aqr. We reanalize velocity data recently published by McIntosh & Rustan complemented by additional velocities. We find an eccentric orbit (e=0.25) with a period 43.6 yr. This solution is in agreement with a resolved VLA observation of this system. We demonstrate that the last 1974-1981 increase of extinction towards the Mira occured during its superior spectroscopic conjunction, and can be due to obscuration by a neutral material in the accreting stream. We also show that jet ejection is not connected with the orbital position.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

On the nature of the cool component of MWC 560

MWC 560 (V694 Mon) is one of the most enigmatic symbiotic system with a very active accretion-powered hot component. Such activity can be supported only by a luminous asymptotic giant branch star, i.e. a Mira or SR variable, with a high mass-loss rate. It is also a very unusual jet source because the jet axis lies practically parallel to the line of sight. The aims of our study are the determination of the evolutionary status of the cool component of MWC 560. Our methods involve analysis of near-IR JHKL and optical light curves. The cool component of MWC 560 pulsates with a period of ~340 days, and it is probably a red SR variable on the thermally pulsing AGB. The high mass-loss rate expected for such a star is sufficient to power the observed activity of the hot companion.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Searching for flickering variability in several symbiotic stars and related objects: BX Mon, V471 Per, RS Oph, V627 Cas, CI Cam V886 Her, Z And, T CrB, MWC 560, V407 Cyg

UBVRI photometry observations of 10 symbiotic stars and related objects obtained in the period 2002-2003 are presented. Analysing differential light curves we found rapid light variations with timescales of tens of minutes and significant amplitudes in the well-known flickerers MWC 560, RS Oph, V407 Cyg and T CrB. MWC 560 and V407 Cyg demonstrate quasi periodic oscillations (QPO) with similar amplitudes and timescales. Flickering and unusual flare in V627 Cas as well as some indications of flickering presence in BX Mon are detected. The existence of 29 minutes oscillations in Z And with an amplitude about 0.02 mag in U band is confirmed. Only one symbiotic star, V471 Per, and both non symbiotic, CI Cam and V886 Her seem to be constant on flickering timescales. Nevertheless, small night to night changes in the brightness of V886 Her were observed as well.

astro-ph↗