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Patrick Hartigan

Publications and source records attributed to Patrick Hartigan.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A New Look at T Tauri Star Forbidden Lines: MHD Driven Winds from the Inner Disk

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and photoevaporative winds are thought to play an important role in the evolution and dispersal of planet-forming disks. We report the first high-resolution ($Δv\sim$6\kms) analysis of [S II] $λ$4068, [O I] $λ$5577, and [O I] $λ$6300 lines from a sample of 48 T Tauri stars. Following Simon et al. (2016), we decompose them into three kinematic components: a high-velocity component (HVC) associated with jets, and a low-velocity narrow (LVC-NC) and broad (LVC-BC) components. We confirm previous findings that many LVCs are blueshifted by more than 1.5 kms$^{-1}$ thus most likely trace a slow disk wind. We further show that the profiles of individual components are similar in the three lines. We find that most LVC-BC and NC line ratios are explained by thermally excited gas with temperatures between 5,000$-$10,000 K and electron densities $\sim10^{7}-10^{8}$ cm$^{-3}$. The HVC ratios are better reproduced by shock models with a pre-shock H number density of $\sim10^{6}-10^{7}$ cm$^{-3}$. Using these physical properties, we estimate $\dot{M}_{\rm wind}/\dot{M}_{\rm acc}$ for the LVC and $\dot{M}_{\rm jet}/\dot{M}_{\rm acc}$ for the HVC. In agreement with previous work, the mass carried out in jets is modest compared to the accretion rate. With the likely assumption that the NC wind height is larger than the BC, the LVC-BC $\dot{M}_{\rm wind}/\dot{M}_{\rm acc}$ is found to be higher than the LVC-NC. These results suggest that most of the mass loss occurs close to the central star, within a few au, through an MHD driven wind. Depending on the wind height, MHD winds might play a major role in the evolution of the disk mass.

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Science-Driven Optimization of the LSST Observing Strategy

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is designed to provide an unprecedented optical imaging dataset that will support investigations of our Solar System, Galaxy and Universe, across half the sky and over ten years of repeated observation. However, exactly how the LSST observations will be taken (the observing strategy or "cadence") is not yet finalized. In this dynamically-evolving community white paper, we explore how the detailed performance of the anticipated science investigations is expected to depend on small changes to the LSST observing strategy. Using realistic simulations of the LSST schedule and observation properties, we design and compute diagnostic metrics and Figures of Merit that provide quantitative evaluations of different observing strategies, analyzing their impact on a wide range of proposed science projects. This is work in progress: we are using this white paper to communicate to each other the relative merits of the observing strategy choices that could be made, in an effort to maximize the scientific value of the survey. The investigation of some science cases leads to suggestions for new strategies that could be simulated and potentially adopted. Notably, we find motivation for exploring departures from a spatially uniform annual tiling of the sky: focusing instead on different parts of the survey area in different years in a "rolling cadence" is likely to have significant benefits for a number of time domain and moving object astronomy projects. The communal assembly of a suite of quantified and homogeneously coded metrics is the vital first step towards an automated, systematic, science-based assessment of any given cadence simulation, that will enable the scheduling of the LSST to be as well-informed as possible.

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Finding the UV-Visible Path Forward: Proceedings of the Community Workshop to Plan the Future of UV/Visible Space Astrophysics

We present the science cases and technological discussions that came from the workshop entitled "Finding the UV-Visible Path Forward" held at NASA GSFC June 25-26, 2015. The material presented outlines the compelling science that can be enabled by a next generation space-based observatory dedicated for UV-visible science, the technologies that are available to include in that observatory design, and the range of possible alternative launch approaches that could also enable some of the science. The recommendations to the Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group from the workshop attendees on possible future development directions are outlined.

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Numerical Simulations of Mach Stem Formation via Intersecting Bow Shocks

Hubble Space Telescope observations show bright knots of H$α$ emission within outflowing young stellar jets. Velocity variations in the flow create secondary bow shocks that may intersect and lead to enhanced emission. When the bow shocks intersect at or above a certain critical angle, a planar shock called a Mach stem is formed. These shocks could produce brighter H$α$ emission since the incoming flow to the Mach stem is parallel to the shock normal. In this paper we report first results of a study using 2-D numerical simulations designed to explore Mach stem formation at the intersection of bow shocks formed by hypersonic "bullets" or "clumps". Our 2-D simulations show how the bow shock shapes and intersection angles change as the adiabatic index $γ$ changes. We show that the formation or lack of a Mach stem in our simulations is consistent with the steady-state Mach stem formation theory. Our ultimate goal, which is part of an ongoing research effort, is to characterize the physical and observational consequences of bow shock intersections including the formation of Mach stems.

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MHD Effects on Pulsed YSO Jets. I. 2.5-D Simulations

In this paper we explore the dynamics of radiative axisymmetric MHD jets at high resolution using AMR methods. The goal of the study is to determine both the dynamics and emission properties of such jets. To that end we have implemented microphysics enabling us to produce synthetic maps of H$α$ and [S II]. The jets are pulsed either sinusoidally or randomly via a time-dependent ejection velocity which leads to a complicated structure of internal shocks and rarefactions as has been seen in previous simulations. The high resolution of our simulations allows us to explore in great detail the effect of pinch forces (due to the jet's toroidal magnetic field) within the "working surfaces" where pulses interact. We map the strong H$α$ emission marking shock fronts and the strong [S II] emission inside cooling regions behind shocks as observed with high-resolution images of jets. We find that pinch forces in the stronger field cases produce additional emission regions along the axis as compared with purely hydrodynamic runs. These simulations are a first step to understanding the full 3-D emission properties of radiative MHD jets.

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On Sunspot and Starspot Lifetimes

We consider the lifetimes of spots on the Sun and other stars from the standpoint of magnetic diffusion. While normal magnetic diffusivity predicts lifetimes of sunspots that are too large by at least two orders of magnitude, turbulent magnetic diffusivity accounts for both the functional form of the solar empirical spot-lifetime relation and for the observed sunspot lifetimes, provided that the relevant diffusion length is the supergranule size. Applying this relation to other stars, the value of turbulent diffusivity depends almost entirely on supergranule size, with very weak dependence on other variables such as magnetic field strength and density. Overall, the best observational data for other stars is consistent with the extension of the solar relation provided that stellar supergranule sizes for some stars are significantly larger than they are on the Sun.

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Star Spot Induced Radial Velocity Variability in LkCa 19

We describe a new radial velocity survey of T Tauri stars and present the first results. Our search is motivated by an interest in detecting massive young planets, as well as investigating the origin of the brown dwarf desert. As part of this survey, we discovered large-amplitude, periodic, radial velocity variations in the spectrum of the weak line T Tauri star LkCa 19. Using line bisector analysis and a new simulation of the effect of star spots on the photometric and radial velocity variability of T Tauri stars, we show that our measured radial velocities for LkCa19 are fully consistent with variations caused by the presence of large star spots on this rapidly rotating young star. These results illustrate the level of activity-induced radial velocity noise associated with at least some very young stars. This activity-induced noise will set lower limits on the mass of a companion detectable around LkCa 19, and similarly active young stars.

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Infrared [Fe II] emission from P Cygni's nebula: Atomic data, mass, kinematics, and the 1600 A.D. outburst

We present moderate and high-dispersion 1-2.5 micron spectra of the 10 arcsec nebula around P Cygni, dominated by bright emission lines of [Fe II]. Observed [Fe II] line ratios disagree with theoretical transition rates in the literature, so we use the spectrum of P Cygni's nebula to constrain the atomic data for low-lying levels of [Fe II]. Of particular interest is the ratio [Fe II] 12567/16435, often used as a reddening indicator, for which we empirically derive an intrinsic value of 1.49, which is 10--40 per cent higher than previous estimates. High-dispersion spectra of [Fe II] 16435 constrain the geometry, detailed structure, and kinematics of P Cygni's nebula, which is the major product of P Cygni's outburst in 1600 A.D. We use the [N II]/[N I] line ratio to conclude that the nebula is mostly ionized with a total mass of ~0.1 Msun; more than the mass lost by the stellar wind since the eruption. For this mass, we would expect a larger infrared excess than observed. We propose that the dust which obscured the star after the outburst has since been largely destroyed, releasing Fe into the gas phase to produce the bright [Fe II] emission. The kinetic energy of this shell is ~2e46 ergs, far less than the kinetic energy released during the giant eruption of eta Car in the 1840s. The mass and kinetic energy in the nebulae of eta Car and P Cygni give insight to the range of parameters expected for extragalactic eta Car-like eruptions.

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A Spectroscopic Survey of Subarcsecond Binaries in the Taurus-Auriga Dark Cloud with the Hubble Space Telescope

We report the results of a spectroscopic survey of 20 close T Tauri binaries in the Taurus-Auriga dark cloud where the separations between primaries and their secondaries are less than the typical size of a circumstellar disk around a young star. Analysis of low-resolution and medium-resolution STIS spectra yields the stellar luminosities, reddenings, ages, masses, mass accretion rates, IR excesses, and emission line luminosities for each star in each pair. We examine the ability of IR color excesses, H-alpha equivalent widths, [O I] emission, and veiling to distinguish between weak emission and classical T Tauri stars. Four pairs have one cTTs and one wTTs; the cTTs is the primary in three of these systems. This frequency of mixed pairs among the close T Tauri binaries is similar to the frequency of mixed pairs in wider young binaries. Extinctions within pairs are usually similar; however, the secondary is more heavily reddened than the primary in some systems, where it may be viewed through the primary's disk. Mass accretion rates of primaries and secondaries are strongly correlated, and H-alpha luminosities, IR excesses, and ages also correlate within pairs. Primaries tend to have somewhat larger accretion rates than their secondaries do, and are typically slightly older than their secondaries according to three different sets of modern pre-main-sequence evolutionary tracks. Age differences for XZ Tau and FS Tau, systems embedded in reflection nebulae, are striking; the secondary in each pair is less massive but more luminous than the primary. The stellar masses of the UY Aur and GG Tau binaries measured from their rotating molecular disks are about 30% larger than the masses inferred from the spectra and evolutionary tracks.

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Balmer-Dominated Spectra of Nonradiative Shocks in the Cygnus Loop, RCW 86 and Tycho Supernova Remnants

We present an observational and theoretical study of the optical emission from nonradiative shocks in three supernova remnants: the Cygnus Loop, RCW 86 and Tycho. The spectra of these shocks are dominated by collisionally excited hydrogen Balmer lines which have both a broad component caused by proton-neutral charge exchange and a narrow component caused by excitation of cold neutrals entering the shock. In each remnant we have obtained the broad to narrow flux ratios of the Halpha and Hbeta lines and measured the Halpha broad component width. A new numerical shock code computes the broad and narrow Balmer line emission from nonradiative shocks in partially neutral gas. The Balmer line fluxes are sensitive to Lyman line trapping and the degree of electron-proton temperature equilibration. The code calculates the density, temperature and size of the postshock ionization layer and uses a Monte Carlo simulation to compute narrow Balmer line enhancement from Lyman line trapping. The initial fraction of the shock energy allocated to the electrons and protons (the equilibration) is a free parameter. Our models show that variations in electron-proton temperature equilibration and Lyman line trapping can reproduce the observed range of broad to narrow ratios. The results give 80%-100% equilibration in nonradiative portions of the NE Cygnus Loop (v_shock ~ 300 km/s), 40%-50% equilibration in nonradiative portions of RCW 86 (v_shock ~ 600 km/s) and <~ 20% equilibration in Tycho (v_shock ~ 2000 km/s). Our results suggst an inverse correlation between magnetosonic Mach number and equilibration in the observed remnants.

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