arXiv subjects

O. Fors

Publications and source records attributed to O. Fors.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

New observational techniques and analysis tools for wide field CCD surveys and high resolution astrometry

(Abridged) In the first part of this thesis, a general methodology for applying image deconvolution to wide-field CCD imagery. Results show that wavelet-based deconvolution can increase limiting magnitude up to 0.6 mag and improve limiting resolution 1 pixel with respect to original image with no astrometric accuracy degradation. In the second part, a new observational technique based on CCD fast drift scanning has been proposed for lunar occultations (LO) and speckle interferometry. This enables all kind of professional and high-end amateur observatories to perform such kind of observations. For LO, 16 new binaries up to 2mas of projected separation were detected and stellar diameters measurements in the 7 mas regime were obtained with that CCD and IR subarray based techniques. A new wavelet-based LO reduction pipeline was implemented. For speckle, CCD fast drift scanning technique was validated with the observation of four binary systems with well determined orbits. The results of separation, position angle and magnitude difference are in accordance with published measurements. A new approach for calibrating speckle transfer function from the binary power spectrum itself has been introduced. It does not require point source observations, which gives a more effective use of observation time.

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arXiv2005

The Calar Alto lunar occultation program: update and new results

We present an update of the lunar occultation program which is routinely carried out in the near-IR at the Calar Alto Observatory. A total of 350 events were recorded since our last report (Fors et al. 2004). In the course of eight runs we have observed, among others, late-type giants, T-Tauri stars, and infrared sources. Noteworthy was a passage of the Moon close to the galactic center, which produced a large number of events during just a few hours in July 2004. Results include the determinations of the angular diameter of RZ Ari, and the projected separations and brightness ratios for one triple and 13 binary stars, almost all of which representing first time detections. Projected separations range from 0.09arcsec to 0.007arcsec. We provide a quantitative analysis of the performance achieved in our observations in terms of angular resolution and sensitivity, which reach about 0.003arcsec and K~8.5mag, respectively. We also present a statistical discussion of our sample, and in particular of the frequency of detection of binaries among field stars.

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arXiv2004

Application of fast CCD drift scanning to speckle imaging of binary stars

A new application of a fast CCD drift scanning technique that allows us to perform speckle imaging of binary stars is presented. For each observation, an arbitrary number of speckle frames is periodically stored on a computer disk, each with an appropriate exposure time given both atmospheric and instrumental considerations. The CCD charge is shifted towards the serial register and read out sufficiently rapidly to avoid an excessive amount of interframe dead time. Four well-known binary systems (ADS 755, ADS 2616, ADS 3711 and ADS 16836) are observed in to show the feasibility of the proposed technique. Bispectral data analysis and power spectrum fitting is carried out for each observation, yielding relative astrometry and photometry. A new approach for self-calibrating this analysis is also presented and validated. The proposed scheme does not require any additional electronic or optical hardware, so it should allow most small professional observatories and advanced amateurs to enjoy the benefits of diffraction-limited imaging.

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arXiv2004

Infrared and visual lunar occultations measurements of stellar diameters and new binary stars detections at the Calar Alto 1.5m telescope

We present a program of routine lunar occultations, at optical and near-IR wavelengths, recently started at the 1.5m Spanish telescope at the Calar Alto Observatory. Both a CCD and an infrared array detector are used. The program is aimed mainly at the detection and investigation of binary systems, although results in other areas of stellar research are also anticipated. Occultations are reported for a total of 40 stars. Among these, SAO 164567, SAO 78258 and AG+24 788 have been discovered to be binaries, with projected separations as small as 0.006". Furthermore, binarity is suspected in the case of SAO 78119 and SAO 79251. Additionally, the angular diameter of the late-type giant 30 Psc and of the infrared star V349 Gem have been accurately measured, this latter for the first time. We finally evaluate the instrumentation performance in terms of limiting magnitude and angular resolution, and discuss applications to larger telescopes.

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arXiv2002

LS 5039: a runaway microquasar ejected from the galactic plane

We have compiled optical and radio astrometric data of the microquasar LS 5039 and derived its proper motion. This, together with the distance and radial velocity of the system, allows us to state that this source is escaping from its own regional standard of rest, with a total systemic velocity of about 150 km/s and a component perpendicular to the galactic plane larger than 100 km/s. This is probably the result of an acceleration obtained during the supernova event that created the compact object in this binary system. We have computed the trajectory of LS 5039 in the past, and searched for OB associations and supernova remnants in its path. In particular, we have studied the possible association between LS 5039 and the supernova remnant G016.8-01.1, which, despite our efforts, remains dubious. We have also discovered and studied an HI cavity in the ISM, which could have been created by the stellar wind of LS 5039 or by the progenitor of the compact object in the system. Finally, in the symmetric supernova explosion scenario, we estimate that at least 17 solar masses were lost in order to produce the high eccentricity observed. Such a mass loss could also explain the observed runaway velocity of the microquasar.

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arXiv2001

CCD drift-scan imaging lunar occultations: a feasible approach for sub-meter class telescopes

A CCD drift-scanning technique for lunar occultation (LO) observations is presented. While this approach has been addressed before by Sturmann (1994) for the case of large telescopes, the technical validity has never been discussed for sub-meter class telescopes. In contrast to Sturmann's scheme, the proposed technique places the CCD in the image plane of the telescope. This does not represent a problem in the case of small telescopes, where the practical angular resolution attainable by LO is not limited by aperture smoothing. Photon-generated charge is read out at millisecond rate on a column-per-column basis, as the diffraction pattern of the occulted star is being tracked. Two LO events (SAO 79031 and SAO 77911) were observed to demonstrate the feasibility of the method. Data analysis was carried out and no angular diameter the observed stars were resolved. We show, however, that the technique could be useful for close binary detections with small telescopes. A discussion of the limiting resolution and magnitude imposed by our instrumentation is carried out, showing that drift-scanning technique could be extended to 1-2m telescopes for stellar diameter determination purposes. Finally, we point out that the technical demands required by this technique can be easily met by most small professional observatories and advanced amateurs.

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