arXiv subjects

Sandip K Chakrabarti

Publications and source records attributed to Sandip K Chakrabarti.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Revisiting the Orbital Dynamics of the Hot Jupiter WASP-12 b with New Transit Times

In this study, we examine the transit timing deviations of the extensively studied hot Jupiter WASP-12 b using a comprehensive dataset of 391 transit light curves. The dataset includes 7 new photometric observations obtained with the 1.3 m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope, the 0.61 m VASISTHA telescope, and the 0.3 m AG Optical IDK telescope, along with 119 light curves from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), 97 from the Exoplanet Transit Database (ETD), 34 from the ExoClock Project, and 134 from previously published sources. To ensure homogeneity and precision, we modeled all 391 light curves and determined their mid-transit times. A detailed transit timing analysis revealed a significant orbital decay rate of $-31.97 \pm 0.80~\mathrm{ms~yr^{-1}}$, corresponding to a stellar tidal quality factor of $Q'_\star = (1.52 \pm 0.038) \times 10^{5}$, thereby confirming that the orbit of WASP-12 b is indeed decaying rapidly. Furthermore, the computation of model selection metrics ($χ^2_r$, BIC, AIC) favors orbital decay as the most likely explanation. However, the presence of an eccentricity above the threshold value allows apsidal precession to remain a viable alternative. We also derived a planetary Love number of $k_p = 0.63 \pm 0.089$, consistent with Jupiter's value, suggesting a similar internal density distribution. In this study, orbital decay is strongly supported, as a plausible cause of the timing deviations observed in WASP-12 system. Continued high-precision monitoring will be essential to further constrain the system's orbital evolution.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

Evolution of Accretion Properties in Mrk 1040 using long-term X-ray Observations

We present a comprehensive long-term, multi-epoch spectral and timing study of the Seyfert 1 Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) Mrk~1040, utilizing X-ray observations spanning from 2009 to 2024 ($\sim$15 years). The source exhibits pronounced spectral and temporal variability, indicative of transitions between different accretion regimes in the vicinity of the central supermassive black hole. The earlier reported soft excess is re-examined within a uniform, physically motivated multi-epoch framework. We confirm the presence of this soft excess in the 2009 observation, where it is well described by a warm, extended Comptonizing corona with $kT_{\rm e,warm} \sim 0.26$~keV and a radial extent of $R_{\rm warm} \sim 30~r_g$. In subsequent epochs, the soft excess is not statistically significant, possibly due to a combination of enhanced ionized absorption, intrinsic weakening of the warm Comptonizing region, or partial truncation of the inner disc. A strong correlation between the soft and hard X-ray fluxes suggests a common physical origin for both components, likely within a multi-layered Comptonizing structure that evolved into a compact and thermally stable corona after 2013. The observed spectral variability, together with changes in the Fe~K$α$ line strength, reflects the evolving coronal geometry and accretion flow dynamics. Variations in the intrinsic column density ($N_H$) further indicate that Mrk~1040 is embedded within a clumpy, dynamically variable absorber responding to changes in the accretion rate. Using the TCAF model, we estimate the black hole mass as $M_{\rm BH} = (4.50 \pm 1.62) \times 10^7~M_\odot$, consistent with previous estimates.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

The accretion properties of a low-mass Active Galactic Nucleus: UGC 6728

We present a comprehensive analysis of approximately $15$ years ($2006-2021$) of X-ray observations of UGC~6728, a low-mass bare AGN, for the first time. Our study encompasses both spectral and temporal aspects of this source. The spectral properties of this source are studied using various phenomenological and physical models. We conclude that (a) the observed variability in X-ray luminosity is not attributed to the Hydrogen column density ($N_H$) as UGC~6728 exhibits a bare nucleus, implying a negligible $N_H$ contribution along the line of sight, and (b) the spectral slope in the X-ray band demonstrates a systematic variation over time, indicating a transition from a relatively hard state to a comparatively soft state. We propose that the underlying accretion dynamics around the central object account for this behavior. By performing X-ray spectral fitting, we estimate the mass of the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) in UGC~6728 to be $M_{BH}=(7.13\pm1.23)\times10^5$ M$_\odot$ with spin $a=0.97^{+0.20}_{-0.27}$ and inclination angle $i=49.5\pm14.5$ degree. Based on our spectral and temporal analysis, we suggest that UGC~6728 lacks a prominent Compton hump or exhibits a very subtle hump that remains undetectable in our analysis. Furthermore, the high-energy X-ray photons in this source are likely to originate from the low-energy X-ray photons through inverse Compton scattering in a Compton cloud, highlighting a connection between the emission in two energy ranges. We notice a strong soft excess component in the initial part of our observations, which later reduced substantially. This variation of soft excess is explained in view of accretion dynamics.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Is there any linkage between interstellar aldehyde and alcohol?

It is speculated that there might be some linkage between interstellar aldehydes and their corresponding alcohols. Here, an observational study and astrochemical modeling are coupled together to illustrate the connection between them. The ALMA Cycle 4 data of a hot molecular core, G10.47+0.03 is utilized for this study. Various aldehydes (acetaldehyde, propanal, and glycolaldehyde), alcohols (methanol and ethylene glycol), and a ketone (acetone) are identified in this source. The excitation temperatures and the column densities of these species were derived via the rotation diagram method assuming LTE conditions. An extensive investigation is carried out to understand the formation of these species. Six pairs of aldehyde-alcohol: i) methanal and methanol; ii) ethanal and ethanol; iii) propanal and 1-propanol; iv) propenal and allyl alcohol; v) propynal and propargyl alcohol; vi) glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol; vii) along with one pair of ketone-alcohol (acetone and isopropanol) and viii) ketene-alcohol (ethenone and vinyl alcohol) are considered for this study. Two successive hydrogenation reactions in the ice phase are examined to form these alcohols from aldehydes, ketone, and ketene, respectively. Quantum chemical methods are extensively executed to review the ice phase formation route and the kinetics of these species. Based on the obtained kinetic data, astrochemical modeling is employed to derive the abundances of these aldehydes, alcohols, ketone, and ketene in this source. It is seen that our model could successfully explain the observed abundances of various species in this hot molecular core.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Effects of Magnetic Field Loops on the Dynamics of Advective Accretion Flows and Jets around a Schwarzschild Blackhole

Magnetic fields advected along with low angular momentum accretion flows predominantly become toroidal due to the strong azimuthal velocity close to a black hole. We study self-consistently the movements of these flux tubes inside an advective disc and how they dynamically influence the flow. We find that the centrifugal barrier slows down the radial motion of the flux tubes. In this case, the large magnetic flux tubes with a significant drag force escape along the vertical axis due to buoyancy. Magnetic pressure rises close to the black hole and together with the centrifugal force, it combats gravity. The tug-of-war among these forces causes the centrifugal pressure supported shock to oscillate radially. We study the effects of successive injection of flux tubes and find how the flux tube could be trapped inside the disc in regions of highest entropy. Most interestingly, the shock wave remains at its average location and is not destroyed. We show that the toroidal field loops contribute significantly to collimate and accelerate the outflows from the centrifugal barrier and suggest this mechanism to be a way to collimate and accelerate jets.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

The 2004 Outburst of BHC H1743-322: Analysis of spectral and timing properties using the TCAF Solution

The black hole transient H1743-322 exhibited several outbursts with temporal and spectral variability since its discovery in 1977. These outbursts occur at a quasi-regular recurrence period of around $0.5-2$ years, since its rediscovery in March 2003. We investigate accretion flow dynamics around the Low Mass X-ray Binary H1743-322 during its 2004 outburst using the RXTE/PCA archival data. We use Two Component Advective Flow (TCAF) solution to analyse the spectral data. From the fits with TCAF solution, we obtain day to day variation of physical accretion rates of Keplerian and sub-Keplerian components, size of the Compton cloud and its other properties. Analysis of the spectral properties of the 2004 outburst by keeping fitted normalization to be in a narrow range and its timing properties in terms of the presence and absence of QPOs, enable us to constrain the mass of the black hole in a range of $10.31 M_{\odot} - 14.07 M_{\odot}$ which is consistent with other estimates reported in the literature.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Implications on accretion flow dynamics from spectral study of Swift~J1357.2-0933

We report a detailed spectral study of Swift~J1357.2-0933 low-mass X-ray binary during its 2017 outburst using {\it Swift} and {\it NuSTAR} observations. We fit the data with two component advective flow (TCAF) model and power-law model. We observe that the source is in hard state during the outburst, where the size of the Compton cloud changes significantly with disc accretion rate. The typical disc accretion rate for this source is $\sim 1.5-2.0~\%$ of the Eddington accretion rate $(\dot M_{Edd})$. The model fitted intermediate shock compression ratio gives an indication of the presence of jet, which is reported in the literature in different energy bands. We also split NuSTAR data into three equal segments and fit with the model. We check spectral stability using color-color diagram and accretion rate ratio (ARR) vs. intensity diagram using different segments of the light curve but do not find any significant variation in the hardness ratio or in the accretion rate ratio. To estimate the mass of the candidate, we use an important characteristics of TCAF that the the model normalization always remains a constant. We found that the mass comes out to be in the range of $4.0-6.8~M_\odot$. From the model fitted results, we study the disc geometry and different physical parameters of the flow in each observation. The count rate of the source appears to decay in a time scale of $\sim 45 day$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Evolution of Accretion Disc Geometry of GRS~1915+105 during its $χ$ state as revealed by TCAF solution

The evolution of the C-type low frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (LFQPOs) and associated time lag in transient black hole sources as a function of time can be explained by variation of the Compton cloud size in a Two Component Advective Flow solution (TCAF). A similar study of a persistent source, GRS~1915+105, has not been attempted. We fit the evolution of QPOs with propagatory oscillating shock (POS) solution for two sets of so-called $χ$-state observations and find that the shock steadily recedes with almost constant velocity when QPO frequency is decreasing and the spectrum is hardening. The shock moves inward with a constant velocity $v_0=473.0$ cm s$^{-1}$ and $v_0=400.0$ cm s$^{-1}$ respectively in these two cases, when the QPO frequency is increasing and the spectrum softens. This behavior is similar to what was observed in XTE~J1550-564 during the 1998 outburst. The time lag measured at the QPO frequency varies in a similar way as the size of the Compton cloud. Most interestingly, in both the cases, the lag switches sign (hard lag to soft lag) at a QPO frequency of $\sim 2.3 - 2.5$ Hz irrespective of the energy of photons. We find, at very low frequencies $< 1$ Hz, the Comptonizing Efficiency (CE) increases with QPO frequency and at higher QPO frequencies the trend is opposite. The time lags become mostly positive at all energies when CE is larger than $\sim 0.85\%$ for both the sources.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Numerical Simulation of Vertical Oscillations in an Axisymmetric Thick Accretion Flow around a Black Hole

We study time evolution of rotating, axisymmetric, two dimensional inviscid accretion flows around black holes using a grid based finite difference method. We do not use reflection symmetry on the equatorial plane in order to inspect if the disk along with the centrifugal barrier oscillated vertically. In the inviscid limit, we find that the CENtrifugal pressure supported BOundary Layer (CENBOL) is oscillating vertically, more so, when the specific angular momentum is higher. As a result, the rate of outflow produced from the CENBOL, also oscillates. Indeed, the outflow rates in the upper half and the lower half are found to be anti-correlated. We repeat the exercise for a series of specific angular momentum λ of the flow in order to demonstrate effects of the centrifugal force on this interesting behaviour. We find that, as predicted in theoretical models of disks in vertical equilibrium, the CENBOL is produced only when the centrifugal force is significant and more specifically, when λ > 1.5. Outflow rate itself is found to increase with λ as well and so is the oscillation amplitude. The cause of oscillation appears to be due to the interaction among the back flow from the centrifugal barrier, the outflowing winds and the inflow. For low angular momentum, the back flow as well as the oscillation are missing. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an oscillating solution is found with an well-tested grid based finite difference code and such a solution could be yet another reason of why Quasi-Periodic Oscillations should be observed in black hole candidates which are accreting low angular momentum transonic flows.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Spectral signatures of dissipative standing shocks and mass outflow in presence of Comptonization around a black hole

Accretion flows having positive specific energy are known to produce outflows and winds which escape to a large distance. According to Two Component Advective Flow (TCAF) model, centrifugal pressure dominated region of the flow just outside the black hole horizon, with or without shocks, acts as the base of this outflow. Electrons from this region are depleted due to the wind and consequently, energy transfer rate due to inverse Comptonization of low energy photons are affected. Specifically, it becomes easier to cool this region and emerging spectrum is softened. Our main goal is to show spectral softening due to mass outflow in presence of Compton cooling. To achieve this, we modify Rankine-Hugoniot relationships at the shock front when post-shock region suffers mass loss due to winds and energy loss due to inverse Comptonization. We solve two-temperature equations governing an accretion flow around a black hole which include Coulomb exchange between protons and electrons and other major radiative processes such as bremsstrahlung and thermal Comptonization. We then compute emitted spectrum from this post-shock flow. We also show how location of standing shock which forms outer boundary of centrifugal barrier changes with cooling. With an increase in disc accretion rate $(\dot{m_d})$, cooling is enhanced and we find that the shock moves in towards the black hole. With cooling, thermal pressure is reduced, and as a result, outflow rate is decreased. We thus directly correlate outflow rate with spectral state of the disc.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Numerical Simulation of Spectral and Timing Properties of a Two Component Advective Flow around a Black Hole

We study the spectral and timing properties of a two component advective flow (TCAF) around a black hole by numerical simulation. Several cases have been simulated by varying the Keplerian disk rate and the resulting spectra and lightcurves have been produced for all the cases. The dependence of the spectral states and quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequencies on the flow parameters is discussed. We also find the earlier explanation of arising of QPOs as the resonance between infall time scale and cooling time scale remain valid even for Compton cooling.

astro-ph.HE↗