arXiv subjects

N. M. Ashok

Publications and source records attributed to N. M. Ashok.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

A Near-Infrared Stellar Spectral Library: II. K-Band Spectra

This paper is the second in the series of papers on near-infrared (NIR) stellar spectral library produced by reducing the observations carried out with 1.2 meter Gurushikhar Infrared Telescope (GIRT), at Mt. Abu, India using a NICMOS3 HgCdTe 256 X 256 NIR array based spectrometer. In paper I (Ranade et al. 2004), H-band spectra of 135 stars at a resolution of ~16 Ang were presented. The K-band library being released now consists of 114 stars covering spectral types O7--M7 and luminosity classes I--V. The spectra have a moderate resolution of ~22 Ang in the K band and have been continuum shape corrected to their respective effective temperatures. We hope to release the remaining J-band spectra soon. The complete H and K-Band library is available online at: http://vo.iucaa.ernet.in/~voi/NIR_Header.html

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arXiv2006

Spitzer Observations of V838 Monocerotis: Detection of a Rare Infrared Light Echo

We present Spitzer observations of the unusual variable V838 Monocerotis. Extended emission is detected around the object at 24, 70 and 160um. The extended infrared emission is strongly correlated spatially with the HST optical light echo images taken at a similar epoch. We attribute this diffuse nebulosity to be from an infrared light echo caused by reprocessed thermal emission from dust heated by the outward-propagating radiation from the 2002 eruption. The detection of an IR light echo provides an opportunity to estimate the mass in dust of the echo material and hence constrain its origin. We estimate the dust mass of the light echo to be on the order of a solar mass - thereby implying the total gas plus dust mass to be considerably more - too massive for the echo material to be the ejecta from previous outburst/mass-losing events. This is therefore suggestive that a significant fraction of the matter seen through the light echo is interstellar in origin. Unresolved emission at 24 and 70um is also seen at the position of the central star possibly indicating the presence of hot dust freshly condensed in the outburst ejecta.

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arXiv2006

Evolution of the periodicities in 2S 0114+650

We have analysed nine years of data from the All Sky Monitor on the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer for 2S 0114+650 to study the evolution of its spin, binary and super-orbital periods. The spin history of the neutron star in this system exhibits torque reversals lasting ~1 yr. The newly discovered super-orbital period has remained stable over the 9-yr span, making 2S 0114+650 the fourth known system to exhibit stable super-orbital modulation. We compare its super-orbital period evolution with those of the other three such systems.

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arXiv2006

Near-Infrared and Optical Studies of the fast nova V4643 Sgr (Nova Sagittarii 2001)

V4643 Sagittarii or Nova Sagittarii 2001 was discovered in outburst at 7.7 mag. on 2001 February 24. Here, we present near-infrared results of this fast classical nova obtained in the early decline phase in 2001 March followed by optical observations about one month later. Subsequently we also present near-infrared spectra taken later in the nova's evolution, about four months after the outburst, when V4643 Sgr had entered the coronal phase. The spectra in the early decline phase are dominated by emission lines of the HI Brackett series and also the Paschen beta and gamma lines. We study the cause of the excitation of the the OI line at 1.128 micron and discuss the variation in its strength with time after outburst. We discuss the role of optical depth effects on the observed strengths of the hydrogen Brackett and Paschen lines and discuss possible reasons for the puzzling behavior of the Br gamma line strength and whether it is correlated with the OI 1.128 micron line behavior. An optical spectrum is presented which shows that HeII lines are the most prominent features - after HI - to be seen in early 2001 April. We present and also discuss spectra taken in 2001 June and August which prominently show coronal lines of [Si VI] and [Si VII] at 1.9641 micron and 2.4807 micron respectively.

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arXiv2005

Optical and Near-Infrared spectroscopy of Nova V1494 Aquilae 1999 #2

Optical and near-infrared spectroscopic observations of the fast nova V1494 Aquilae 1999 #2 covering various phases -- early decline, transition and nebular -- during the first eighteen months of its post-outburst evolution are presented in this paper. During this period, the nova evolved in the P_fe P_fe^o C_o spectral sequence. The transition from an optically thick wind to a polar blob - equatorial ring geometry is seen in the evolution of the spectral line profiles. There is evidence of density and temperature stratification in the ejecta. Physical conditions in the ejecta have been estimated based on our observations.

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arXiv2005

Near-Infrared water lines in V838 Monocerotis

V838 Monocerotis had an intriguing, nova-like outburst in January 2002 which has subsequently led to several studies of the object. It is now recognized that the outburst of V838 Mon and its evolution are different from that of a classical nova or other classes of well-known eruptive variables. V838 Mon, along with two other objects that have analogous properties, appears to comprise a new class of eruptive variables. There are limited infrared studies of V838 Mon. Here, we present near-infrared H band (1.5 - 1.75micron) spectra of V838 Mon from late 2002 to the end of 2004. The principal, new result from our work is the detection of several, rotation-vibration lines of water in the H band spectra. The observed water lines have been modeled to first establish that they are indeed due to water. Subsequently the temperature and column densities of the absorbing material, from where the water absorption features originate, are derived. From our analysis, we find that the water features arise from a cool ~750-900 K region around V838 Mon which appears to be gradually cooling with time.

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arXiv2004

Mapping WR140 from infrared spectroscopy and imaging

Observations of the 1.083-micron He I line in WR140 (HD 193793) show P-Cygni profiles which varied as the binary system went through periastron passage. A sub-peak appeared on the normally flat-topped emission component and then moved across the profile consistent with its formation in the wind-collision region. Variation of the absorption component provided constraints on the opening angle (theta) of the wind-collision region. Infrared (2-10 micron) images observed with a variety of instruments in 2001-04 resolve the dust cloud formed in 2001, and show it to be expanding at a constant rate. Owing to the high eccentricity of the binary orbit, the dust is spread around the orbital plane in a 'splash' and we compare the dust images with the orientation of the orbit.

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arXiv2004

Optical studies of V4332 Sagittarii - detection of unusually strong KI and NaI lines in emission

We present optical observations of the enigmatic nova-like variable V4332 Sgr. The importance of this object should not be understated since it is considered to be the possible prototype of a new class of eruptive variables. These objects have been the subject of considerable studies at present primarily because of the spectacular eruption of V838 Mon - another member of this class - recently in 2002. The cause of the outburst in such objects is not well understood. Our recent work has shown striking changes in the near-IR spectrum of V4332 Sgr since its 1994 outburst. The optical spectrum presented here confirms that V4332 Sgr is indeed an unusual and extremely interesting object. This spectrum, the first to be taken after a hiatus of nearly 10 years after the outburst, shows several lines in emission but is dominated by exceptionally strong emission in the resonance doublet of KI at 7665 and 7699Å and to a slightly lesser strength in the unresolved NaI doublet at 5890 and 5896Å. The KI lines are shown to be optically thick and considerably broadened. We investigate the site of origin of the KI and NaI emission. We discuss whether V4332 Sgr is related to L or T type dwarf based on BVRI photometry.

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arXiv2004

A search for radioactive 26Al in the nova-like variable V4332 Sagittarii

We have searched for the important radioactive isotope 26Al in the nova-like source V4332 Sgr. Recent results from gamma ray astronomy show that there is pervasive emission of the 1.809 MeV gamma ray photon, arising from the decay of 26Al to 26Mg, from all over the galactic plane. Though the sites from where this emission originates are not clearly established, novae are believed to be an important contributing source. In this context, V4332 Sgr presented a rare opportunity to observationally investigate whether novae or novae-like sources synthesize 26Al and to what extent. Strong AlO bands in the near-IR have been reported in this object recently. As molecular bands of different isotopic compositions are readily resolved spectroscopically (e.g. 12CO and 13CO), it was thought that the components of AlO associated with 26Al and stable 27Al could be detected as separate bands. Our spectra indicate that there is no strong presence of 26Al in V4332 Sgr. A reliable upper limit of 0.10 for the 26Al/27Al ratio is determined which constitutes the first observational constraint for this ratio in a potential 26Al producing source. While V4332 Sgr is not a typical nova, its outburst amplitude and light-curve behaviour bear close similarity to that of novae. Hence, although the results from V4332 Sgr cannot be directly extended to novae in general, the limit on the observed 26Al/27Al ratio could be a useful input in constraining rather uncertain nucleosynthesis models for the production of 26Al in novae/novae-like sources. By comparing the observed 26Al/27Al ratio in V4332 Sgr with that expected in classical novae it appears unlikely that the progenitor of V4332 Sgr is an Oxygen-Neon-Magnesium white dwarf.

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arXiv2004

Near Infrared Intraday Variability of Mrk 421

We report results from our monitoring of the BL Lac object Mrk 421 in the near-IR $J$ band. The observations, aimed at studying the intraday variability (IDV) of the object, were carried out systematically over an extended (and near-continuous) period of eight nights from the 1.2m Mount Abu Infrared Telescope, India. There are limited studies for Mrk 421 in the $J$ band for such an extended period. The observation epoch for this study (25 February - 5 March 2003) was chosen to significantly overlap other concurrent studies of Mrk 421 in the X-ray/$γ$-ray regions being conducted using the Rossi X-ray timing explorer (RXTE) and the solar tower atmospheric Cherenkov effect experiment (STACEE). Hence these results could be useful for a multi-wavelength analysis of the variability behavior of Mrk 421. We find that Mrk 421 was quite active during the observed period and showed significant IDV and short term variability. A maximum variation of 0.89 magnitudes is seen over the entirety of the observed period. Flaring activity, with typical brightness variations of $\sim 0.4$, are also seen on several occasions. The extent of the variability observed by us is compared with the results of other similar studies of Mrk 421 in the $J$ band.

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arXiv2004

Near IR Spectroscopic monitoring of WR 140 during the 2001 periastron passage

We present new spectra of WR 140 (HD 193793) in the JHK bands with some covering the 1.083-micron He I emission line at higher resolution, observed between 2000 October and 2003 May to cover its 2001 periastron passage. The WC7 + O4-5 spectroscopic binary WR 140 is the prototype of colliding-wind, episodic dust-making Wolf-Rayet systems which also show strong variations in radio and X-ray emission. The JHK spectra showed changes in continuum and in the equivalent widths of the WC emission lines, consistent with formation of dust starting between 2001 January 3 and March 26 (orbital phases 0.989 and 0.017) and its subsequent fading and cooling. The 1.083-micron He I line has a P-Cygni profile which showed variations in both absorption and emission components as WR 140 went through periastron passage. The variation of the absorption component yielded tight constraints on the geometry of the wind-collision region, giving theta = 50 +/- 8 degrees for the opening semi-angle of the interaction `cone', indicating a wind-momentum ratio of the O to the WR star=0.1, about three times larger than previously believed. As the system approached periastron, the emission component showed the appearance of a significant sub-peak, movement of which across the profile was seen to be consistent with its formation in wind material flowing along the contact discontinuity between the two stellar winds and the changing orientation of the colliding wind region. The flux carried in the sub-peak exceeded the X-ray fluxes measured at previous periastron passages. This additional source of radiative cooling of the shock-heated gas probably causes it to depart from being adiabatic around periastron passage, thereby accounting for the departure of the X-ray flux from its previously expected $1/d$-dependency.

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arXiv2003

Remarkable changes in the near-infrared spectrum of the nova-like variable V4332 Sgr

We report on recent near-IR observations of V4332 Sgr - the nova-like variable that erupted in 1994. Its rapid, post-outburst evolution to a cool M type giant/supergiant, soon after its outburst, had showed that it was an unusual object differing from other eruptive variables like classical/symbiotic novae or born-again AGB stars. The present study of V4332 Sgr was motivated by the keen interest in the recent eruption of V838 Mon - which along with V4332 Sgr - is believed to belong to a new class of objects (we propose they may be called "quasi-novae"). Our observations show new developments in the evolution of V4332 Sgr. The most striking feature is the detection of several molecular bands of AlO - a rarely seen molecule in astronomical spectra - in the JHK spectra. Many of these bands are being detected for the first time. The only other detection of some of these AlO bands are in V838 Mon, thereby showing further spectral similarities between the two objects. JHK photometry shows the development of a new dust shell around V4332 Sgr with a temperature of ~ 900K. This dust shell does not appear to be associated with ejecta of the 1994 outburst but is due to a second mass-loss episode which is not expected in a classical nova outburst. The cold molecular environment, suggested by the AlO emission, is also not expected in novae ejecta. We model the AlO bands and also discuss the possible formation mechanism of the AlO.

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arXiv2003

The enigmatic outburst of V445 Puppis - a possible Helium nova?

JHK spectroscopic and photometric observations are reported for the enigmatic, nova-like, variable V445 Puppis which erupted at the end of 2000. The near-IR spectra are hydrogen-deficient and unusually rich in CI lines. The important CI lines are found to be positioned at 1.133, 1.166, 1.175, 1.189, 1.26 and 1.689 microns. Model calculations for the CI lines are done to make the identification of the lines secure. Photometric data, taken on January 2.90 UT, 2001 shortly after the outburst, show the formation of an optically thin dust shell around V445 Puppis. The temperature and upper limit for the mass of the dust shell are estimated to be 1800K and M(dust) ~ 1oe-9 M(sun) respectively . A subsequent episode of massive dust formation - indicated by the observed, deep visual dimming - is also seen in JHK images of early November 2001. V445 Puppis has shown two unusual properties for a nova i) the hydrogen-deficiency and He/C enrichment of the object as seen from optical and IR data and ii) synchrotron radio emission which was detected nearly a year after it's outburst by other workers. The strange nature of the object is discussed and it is shown that it is difficult to place it in the known categories of eruptive variables viz. novae (classical, recurrent or symbiotic); born-again AGB stars; the new class of eruptive variables like V838 Mon; and RCB/HdC stars. Tentative evidence for an accretion disk and binarity of the V445 Puppis system is presented. It is debated whether V445 Puppis is a rare Helium nova or an unique object.

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arXiv2002

Near infra-red spectroscopy of V838 Monocerotis

Near IR, multi-epoch, spectroscopic and photometric observations of the enigmatic, eruptive variable V838 Mon in JHK bands are reported. One of the unusual features is the detection of several strong neutral TiI lines in emission in the K band. From the strength of these lines, the mass of the ejected envelope is estimated to be in the range 10e-7 to 10e-5 M(sun). The spectra also show the strong presence of the first and second overtones of 12CO bands seen in the K and H bands. The CO bands show a complex evolution. Deep water bands at 1.4 and 1.9 micron are also seen later in the object's evolution. Blackbody fits to the JHK photometric data show that V838 Mon has evolved to temperatures between 2400 - 2600 K by approximately 130 days after outburst. The spectra at this stage have the general characteristics of a very cool M giant.

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arXiv2002

Determination of Substellar Mass Function of Young Open Clusters Using 2MASS and GSC Data

We present a statistical method to derive the mass functions of open clusters using sky survey data such as the 2 Micron All Sky Survey and the Guide Star Catalogue. We have used this method to derive the mass functions in the stellar/substellar regime of three young, nearby open clusters, namely IC 348, Sigma-Orionis and Pleiades. The mass function in the low mass range (M < 0.5 solar mass) is appreciably flatter than the stellar Salpeter function for all three open clusters. The contribution of objects below 0.5 solar mass to the total mass of the cluster is ~40% and the contribution of objects below 0.08 solar mass to the total is ~4%.

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arXiv2002

Substellar Mass Function of Young Open Clusters as Determined through a Statistical Approach Using 2MASS and GSC Data

In this paper we present the mass functions in the substellar regime of three young open clusters, IC 348, $σ$ Orionis and Pleiades, as derived using the data from the 2 Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) catalogue which has a limiting magnitude of K_s ~ 15, and the latest version of the Guide Star Catalogue (GSC) which has a limiting magnitude of F ~ 21 where F refers to the POSS II IIIa-F passband. Based on recent evolutionary models for low mass stars, we have formulated the selection criteria for stars with masses below 0.5 solar mass. Using a statistical approach to correct for the background contamination, we derive the mass function of objects with masses ranging from 0.5 solar mass down to the substellar domain, well below the Hydrogen Burning Mass Limit. The lowest mass bins in our analysis are 0.025, 0.045 and 0.055 solar masses for IC 348, sigma Orionis and Pleiades, respectively. The resultant slopes of the mass functions are 0.8 +/- 0.2 for IC 348, 1.2 +/- 0.2 for sigma Orionis and 0.5 +/- 0.2 for Pleiades, which are consistent with the previous results. The contribution of objects below 0.5 solar mass to the total mass of the cluster is ~40%, and the contribution of objects below 0.08 solar mass to the total mass is ~4%.

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