arXiv subjects

Motohide Tamura

Publications and source records attributed to Motohide Tamura.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

Near-Infrared Polarization Images of The Orion Molecular Cloud 1 South Region

We present the polarization images in the $J$, $H$, & $Ks$ bands of the Orion Molecular Cloud 1 South region. The polarization images clearly show at least six infrared reflection nebulae (IRNe) which are barely seen or invisible in the intensity images. Our polarization vector images also identify the illuminating sources of the nebulae: IRN 1 & 2, IRN 3, 4, & 5, and IRN 6 are illuminated by three IR sources, Source 144-351, Source 145-356, and Source 136-355, respectively. Moreover, our polarization images suggest the candidate driving sources of the optical Herbig-Haro objects for the first time; HH529, a pair of HH202 and HH528 or HH 203/204, HH 530 and HH269 are originated from Source 144-351, Source 145-356, and Source 136-355, respectively.

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arXiv2006

Probable association of T Tauri stars with the L1014 dense core

Using the Wide Field Grism Spectrograph 2 (WFGS2), we have carried out slit-less spectroscopy, g'r'i' photometry, and slit spectroscopy on the L1014 dense core. We detected three Halpha emission line stars. We interpret one as weak-line T Tauri star (WTTS) and the others as classical T Tauri stars (CTTS). Since their g'-i' colors and/or classified spectral types are consistent with those of T Tauri stars and two of them show less extinction than the cloud, these three stars are likely to be T Tauri stars associated with L1014. Adopting an age range for T Tauri stars, 1-10 Myr, the color-magnitude diagram suggests a distance of ~400-900 pc, rather than the previously assumed distance, 200 pc. This could strongly affect on the mass estimate of L1014-IRS, which is thought to be either a very young protostar or proto-brown dwarf.

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arXiv2006

The Distance to the Galactic Center Derived From Infrared Photometry of Bulge Red Clump Stars

On the basis of the near infrared observations of bulge red clump stars near the Galactic center, we have determined the galactocentric distance to be R_0 = 7.52 +- 0.10 (stat) +- 0.35 (sys) kpc. We observed the red clump stars at |l| < 1.0 deg and 0.7 deg < |b| < 1.0 deg with the IRSF 1.4 m telescope and the SIRIUS camera in the H and Ks bands. After extinction and population corrections, we obtained (m - M)_0 = 14.38 +- 0.03 (stat) +- 0.10 (sys). The statistical error is dominated by the uncertainty of the intrinsic local red clump stars' luminosity. The systematic error is estimated to be +- 0.10 including uncertainties in extinction and population correction, zero-point of photometry, and the fitting of the luminosity function of the red clump stars. Our result, R_0 = 7.52 kpc, is in excellent agreement with the distance determined geometrically with the star orbiting the massive black hole in the Galactic center. The recent result based on the spatial distribution of globular clusters is also consistent with our result. In addition, our study exhibits that the distance determination to the Galactic center with the red clump stars, even if the error of the population correction is taken into account, can achieve an uncertainty of about 5%, which is almost the same level as that in recent geometrical determinations.

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arXiv2006

Telescope to Observe Planetary Systems (TOPS): a high throughput 1.2-m visible telescope with a small inner working angle

The Telescope to Observe Planetary Systems (TOPS) is a proposed space mission to image in the visible (0.4-0.9 micron) planetary systems of nearby stars simultaneously in 16 spectral bands (resolution R~20). For the ~10 most favorable stars, it will have the sensitivity to discover 2 R_E rocky planets within habitable zones and characterize their surfaces or atmospheres through spectrophotometry. Many more massive planets and debris discs will be imaged and characterized for the first time. With a 1.2m visible telescope, the proposed mission achieves its power by exploiting the most efficient and robust coronagraphic and wavefront control techniques. The Phase-Induced Amplitude Apodization (PIAA) coronagraph used by TOPS allows planet detection at 2 lambda/d with nearly 100% throughput and preserves the telescope angular resolution. An efficient focal plane wavefront sensing scheme accurately measures wavefront aberrations which are fed back to the telescope active primary mirror. Fine wavefront control is also performed independently in each of 4 spectral channels, resulting in a system that is robust to wavefront chromaticity.

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arXiv2006

Sequential Formation of Low-Mass Stars in the BRC 14 Region

We have carried out a deep near-infrared survey of a bright-rimmed molecular cloud, BRC 14 (IC 1848A). The 10 sigma limiting magnitude of the survey is 17.7 mag at the K-band. Seventy-four sources are classified as young stellar object (YSO) candidates based on the near-infrared color-color diagram. The faintest YSO candidates may have masses of an order of tenths of the solar mass, assuming the age of 1 Myr. We examined three values as indicators of star formation; fraction of the YSO candidates, extinctions of all sources, and near-infrared excesses of the YSO candidates. All indicators increase from outside of the rim to the center of the molecular cloud, which suggests that the formation of the low-mass stars in the BRC 14 region proceeds from outside to the center of the cloud.

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arXiv2006

Possible Molecular Spiral Arms in the Protoplanetary Disk of AB Aur

The circumstellar dust disk of the Herbig Ae star AB Aur has been found to exhibit complex spiral-like structures in the near-IR image obtained with the Subaru Telescope. We present maps of the disk in both 12CO (3-2) and dust continuum at 345 GHz with the SMA at an angular resolution of 1.0"x0.7" (144AU x 100AU). The continuum emission traces a dust disk with a central depression and a maximum overall dimension of 450AU (FWHM). This dust disk exhibits several distinct peaks that appear to coincide with bright features in the near-IR image, in particular the brightest inner spiral arm. The CO emission traces a rotating gas disk of size 530AU x 330AU with a deprojected maximum velocity of 2.8km/s at 450AU. In contrast to the dust disk, the gas disk exhibits an intensity peak at the stellar position. Furthermore, the CO emission in several velocity channels traces the innermost spiral arm seen in the near-IR. We compare the observed spatial-kinematic structure of the CO emission to a simple model of a disk in Keplerian rotation, and find that only the emission tracing the main spiral arm clearly lies outside the confines of our model. This emission has a net outward radial motion compared with the radial velocity predicted by the model at the location of the main spiral arms. The disk of AB Aur is therefore quite different from the Keplerian disks seen around many Herbig Ae stars. The spiral-like structures of the disk with non-Keplerian motions we revealed in 12CO (3-2), together with the central depression of the dust disk, may be explained to be driven by the possible existence of a giant planet forming in the disk.

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arXiv2006

Extrasolar Transiting Planet Search with Subaru Suprime-Cam

We report the results of a prototype photometric search for transiting extrasolar planets using Subaru Suprime-Cam. Out of about 100,000 stars monitored around the Galactic plane (l=90 degree,b=0 degree), we find that 7,700 (27,000) stars show the photometric precision below 1% (3%) for 60 second exposures which is required to detect extrasolar planets by the transit method. Thus Suprime-Cam has the photometric stability and accuracy required for a transiting planet survey. During this observing run, we detected three transiting planetary candidates (i'-band magnitude around 18.5) which exhibit a single full transit-like light curve with a fractional depth of <5%. While future photometric and/or spectroscopic follow-ups remain to be done, the estimated parameters for the three systems are consistent with planetary companions around main-sequence stars. We also found two eclipsing binary candidates and eleven variable stars exhibiting W UMa-like light curves.

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arXiv2006

First Two-Micron Imaging Polarimetry of Beta Pictoris

High-resolution K band imaging polarimetry of the beta Pic dust disk has been conducted with adaptive optics and a coronagraph using the Subaru 8.2-m telescope. Polarization of ~10 % is detected out to r ~ 120 AU with a centro-symmetric vector pattern around the central star, confirming that the disk is seen as an infrared reflection nebula. We have modeled our near-infrared and previous optical polarization results in terms of dust scattering in the disk and have found that both the degrees of polarization and the radial intensity profiles are well reproduced. We argue that the observed characteristics of the disk dust are consistent with the presence of ice-filled fluffy aggregates consisting of submicron grains in the beta Pic system. There is a gap around 100 AU in both the intensity and polarization profiles, which suggests a paucity of planetesimals in this region. The radial intensity profile also shows ripple-like structures, which are indicative of the presence of multiple planetesimal belts, as in the case of the M-type Vega-like star AU Mic.

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arXiv2006

X-ray Emitting Young Stars in the Carina Nebula

We present a multiwavelength study of the central part of the Carina Nebula, including Trumpler 16 and part of Trumpler 14. Analysis of the Chandra X-ray Observatory archival data led to the identification of nearly 450 X-ray sources. These were then cross-identified with optical photometric and spectroscopic information available from literature, and with deep near-infrared (JHKs) imaging observations. A total of 38 known OB stars are found to be X-ray emitters. All the O stars and early B stars show the nominal relation between the X-ray and bolometric luminosities, Lx ~ 10^{-7} Lbol. A few mid- to late-type B stars are found to be associated with X-ray emission, likely attributable to T Tauri companions. We discovered 17 OB star candidates which suffer large extinction in the optical wavebands. Some 300 sources have X-ray and infrared characteristics of late-type pre-main sequence stars. Our sample presents the most comprehensive census of the young stellar population in the Carina Nebula and will be useful for the study of the star-formation history of this massive star-forming region. We also report the finding of a compact (5' X 4') group of 7 X-ray sources, all of which highly reddened in near-infrared and most X-ray bright. The group is spatially coincident with the dark 'V' shaped dust lane bisecting the Carina Nebula, and may be part of an embedded association. The distribution of the young stellar groups surrounding the HII region associated with Trumpler 16 is consistent with a triggering process of star formation by the collect-and-collapse scenario.

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arXiv2006

Interstellar Extinction Law in the J, H, and Ks Bands toward the Galactic Center

We have determined the ratios of total to selective extinction in the near-infrared bands (J, H, Ks) toward the Galactic center from the observations of the region |l| < 2.0deg and 0.5deg < |b| < 1.0deg with the IRSF telescope and the SIRIUS camera. Using the positions of red clump stars in color-magnitude diagrams as a tracer of the extinction and reddening, we determine the average of the ratios of total to selective extinction to be A(Ks)/E(H-Ks) = 1.44+-0.01, A(Ks)/E(J-Ks) = 0.494+-0.006, and A(H)/E(J-H) = 1.42+-0.02, which are significantly smaller than those obtained in previous studies. From these ratios, we estimate that A(J) : A(H) : A(Ks) = 1 : 0.573+-0.009 : 0.331+-0.004 and E(J-H)/E(H-Ks) = 1.72+-0.04, and we find that the power law A(lambda) \propto lambda^{-1.99+-0.02} is a good approximation over these wavelengths. Moreover, we find a small variation in A(Ks)/E(H-Ks) across our survey. This suggests that the infrared extinction law changes from one line of sight to another, and the so-called ``universality'' does not necessarily hold in the infrared wavelengths.

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arXiv2005

Near-Infrared Photometric Monitoring of a Pre-Main-Sequence Object KH 15D

An extensive photometric monitoring of KH 15D, an enigmatic variable in the young star cluster NGC 2264, has been conducted. Simultaneous and accurate near-infrared (JHKs-bands) photometry is presented between 2003 December and 2005 March covering most of the variable phase. The infrared variability is characterized by large-amplitude and long-lasting eclipse, as observed at optical. The period of variability is 48.3 +/- 0.2 days, the maximum photometric amplitude of variability is ~4.2 mag, and the eclipse duration is \~0.5 in phase units. These are consistent with the most recent period, amplitude, and duration at optical. The blueing of the J-H color (~0.16 mag) during the eclipse, which has been suggested before, is unambiguously confirmed; a similar blueing at H-Ks is less clear but is probably present at a similar level. The overall shape of the JHKs light curves is very similar to the optical one, including a fair time-symmetry and a less stable flux during the eclipse with a slight hump near the zero phase. Most of these variability features of KH 15D observed at near-infrared wavelengths can be explained with the recent model employing an eclipse by the inclined, precessing disk and an outer scattering region around a pre-main-sequence binary.

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arXiv2005

Near Infrared Imaging Survey of Bok Globules: Density Structure

On the basis of near-infrared imaging observations, we derived visual extinction (Av) distribution toward ten Bok globules through measurements of both the color excess (E_{H-K}) and the stellar density at J, H, and Ks (star count). Radial column density profiles for each globule were analyzed with the Bonnor-Ebert sphere model. Using the data of our ten globules and four globules in the literature, we investigated the stability of globules on the basis of xi_max, which characterizes the Bonnor-Ebert sphere as well as the stability of the equilibrium state against the gravitational collapse. We found that more than half of starless globules are located near the critical state (xi_max = 6.5 +/- 2). Thus, we suggest that a nearly critical Bonnor-Ebert sphere characterizes the typical density structure of starless globules. Remaining starless globules show clearly unstable states (xi_max > 10). Since unstable equilibrium states are not long maintained, we expect that these globules are on the way to gravitational collapse or that they are stabilized by non-thermal support. It was also found that all the star-forming globules show unstable solutions of xi_max >10, which is consistent with the fact that they have started gravitational collapse. We investigated the evolution of a collapsing gas sphere whose initial condition is a nearly critical Bonnor-Ebert sphere. We found that the column density profiles of the collapsing sphere mimic those of the static Bonnor-Ebert spheres in unstable equilibrium. The collapsing gas sphere resembles marginally unstable Bonnor-Ebert spheres for a long time. We found that the frequency distribution of xi_max for the observed starless globules is consistent with that from model calculations of the collapsing sphere.

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arXiv2005

Subaru HDS Transmission Spectroscopy of the Transiting Extrasolar Planet HD 209458b

We have searched for absorption in several common atomic species due to the atmosphere or exosphere of the transiting extrasolar planet HD 209458b, using high precision optical spectra obtained with the Subaru High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS). Previously we reported an upper limit on H alpha absorption of 0.1% (3 sigma) within a 5.1Åband. Using the same procedure, we now report upper limits on absorption due to the optical transitions of Na D, Li, H alpha, H beta, H gamma, Fe, and Ca. The 3 sigma upper limit for each transition is approximately 1% within a 0.3Åband (the core of the line), and a few tenths of a per cent within a 2Åband (the full line width). The wide-band results are close to the expected limit due to photon-counting (Poisson) statistics, although in the narrow-band case we have encountered unexplained systematic errors at a few times the Poisson level. These results are consistent with all previously reported detections and upper limits, but are significantly more sensitive.

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arXiv2005

A Distinct Structure Inside the Galactic Bar

We present the result of a near-infrared (J H Ks) survey along the Galactic plane, -10.5deg < l < +10.5deg and b=+1.0deg, with the IRSF 1.4m telescope and the SIRIUS camera. Ks vs. H-Ks color-magnitude diagrams reveal a well-defined population of red clump (RC) stars whose apparent magnitude peak changes continuously along the Galactic plane, from Ks=13.4 at l=-10deg to Ks=12.2 at l=+10deg after dereddening. This variation can be explained by the bar-like structure found in previous studies, but we find an additional inner structure at |l| < 4deg, where the longitude - apparent magnitude relation is distinct from the outer bar, and the apparent magnitude peak changes by only 0.1 mag over the central 8deg. The exact nature of this inner structure is as yet uncertain.

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arXiv2004

A Young Brown Dwarf Companion to DH Tauri

We present the detection of a young brown dwarf companion DH Tau B associated with the classical T Tauri star DH Tau. Near-infrared coronagraphic observations with CIAO on the Subaru Telescope have revealed DH Tau B with H = \~15 mag located at 2.3" (330 AU) away from the primary DH Tau A. Comparing its position with a Hubble Space Telescope archive image, we confirmed that DH Tau A and B share the common proper motion, suggesting that they are physically associated with each other. The near-infrared color of DH Tau B is consistent with those of young stellar objects. The near-infrared spectra of DH Tau B show deep water absorption bands, a strong K I absorption line, and a moderate Na I absorption line. We derived its effective temperature and surface gravity of Teff = 2700 -- 2800 K and log g = 4.0--4.5, respectively, by comparing the observed spectra with synthesized spectra of low-mass objects. The location of DH Tau B on the HR diagram gives its mass of 30 -- 50 M_Jupiter.

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arXiv2004

Variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds: II. The data and infrared properties

The data of 8,852 and 2,927 variable stars detected by OGLE survey in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are presented. They are cross-identified with the SIRIUS JHK survey data, and their infrared properties are discussed. Variable red giants are well separated on the period-J - K plane, suggesting that it could be a good tool to distinguish their pulsation mode and type.

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arXiv2004

High resolution imaging polarimetry of HL Tau and magnetic field structure

We present high quality near infrared imaging polarimetry of HL Tau at 0.4 to 0.6 arcsec resolution, obtained with Subaru/CIAO and UKIRT/IRCAM. 3-D Monte Carlo modelling with aligned oblate grains is used to probe the structure of the circumstellar envelope and the magnetic field, as well as the dust properties. At J band the source shows a centrosymmetric pattern dominated by scattered light. In the H and K bands the central source becomes visible and its polarisation appears to be dominated by dichroic extinction, with a position angle inclined by ~40 degrees to the disc axis. The polarisation pattern of the environs on scales up to 200 AU is consistent with the same dichroic extinction signature superimposed on the centrosymmetric scattering pattern. These data can be modelled with a magnetic field which is twisted on scales from tens to hundreds of AU, or alternatively by a field which is globally misaligned with the disc axis. A unique solution to the field structure will require spatially resolved circular polarisation data. The best fit Monte Carlo model indicates a shallow near infrared extinction law. When combined with the observed high polarisation and non-negligible albedo these constraints can be fitted with a grain model involving dirty water ice mantles in which the largest particles have radii slightly in excess of 1 um. The best fit model has an envelope structure which is slightly flattened on scales up to several hundred AU. Both lobes of the bipolar outflow cavity contain a substantial optical depth of dust (not just within the cavity walls). Curved, approximately parabolic, cavity walls fit the data better than a conical cavity. The small inner accretion disc observed at millimetre wavelengths is not seen at this spatial resolution.

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arXiv2004

Flared Disks and Silicate Emission in Young Brown Dwarfs

We present mid-infrared photometry of three very young brown dwarfs located in the $ρ$ Ophiuchi star-forming region -- GY5, GY11 and GY310 --obtained with the Subaru 8-meter telescope. All three sources were detected at 8.6 and 11.7$μ$m, confirming the presence of significant mid-infrared excess arising from optically thick dusty disks. The spectral energy distributions of both GY310 and GY11 exhibit strong evidence of flared disks; flat disks can be ruled out for these two brown dwarfs. The data for GY5 show large scatter, and are marginally consistent with both flared and flat configurations. Inner holes a few substellar radii in size are indicated in all three cases (and especially in GY11), in agreement with magnetospheric accretion models. Finally, our 9.7$μ$m flux for GY310 implies silicate emission from small grains on the disk surface (though the data do not completely preclude larger grains with no silicate feature). Our results demonstrate that disks around young substellar objects are analogous to those girdling classical T Tauri stars, and exhibit a similar range of disk geometries and dust properties.

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