arXiv subjects

Tathagata Pal

Publications and source records attributed to Tathagata Pal.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Stellar Populations with MaNGA: Iron Kink and Nitrogen Fuzz

Recent analysis of 2968 MaNGA early type galaxies has yielded two notable trends with velocity dispersion ($σ$) not previously discussed in the literature. First, Fe abundance rises with $σ$, but only until $σ\approx100$ km s$^{-1}$, after which it falls. This kink is reproduced by TNG100 simulations, implying that hierarchical merger processes might explain it. Second, astrophysical scatter in N is high for galaxies with $σ< 100$ km s$^{-1}$. Due to the restricted list of nucleosynthetic sources for N, it is likely that asymptotic giant branch stars provide most of this N. A varied star formation history (compared to that of massive galaxies) along with variable retention and recycling of N-enriched gas might explain the fuzz of N abundance in low-$σ$ galaxies. Because a timescale argument seems necessary to explain the nitrogen fuzz, and an initial mass function argument is ruled out, similar timescale arguments for the [Mg/Fe] trend as a function of velocity dispersion are supported.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Radial Gradients and Intrinsic Scatter in MaNGA Galaxies

We derive stellar population parameters and radial gradients within 0.65 $R_e$ for spatially resolved spectra of 2968 early-type galaxies from MaNGA, spanning stellar velocity dispersions ($σ$) of 50--340 km s$^{-1}$. Light-weighted mean age and C, N, Na, Mg, and Fe abundances are obtained by inverting metallicity-composite stellar population models with isochrones that respond in $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ to individual element abundance changes. Globally, $\log$(age) increases ($\sim$0.53 dex per decade), [Fe/H] declines slightly ($\sim$-0.06 dex per decade), and [X/Fe] for light elements rises (0.19--0.37 dex per decade for $\logσ< 2.0$ but steepens to nearly double slope for $\logσ> 2.0$) with $\logσ$. [Fe/H] peaks at $\logσ\sim 2.0$ and falls on either side. Light-element [X/Fe] anticorrelates with [Fe/H] ($\sim$-0.1 dex per decade). Astrophysical scatter is largest in low-$σ$ galaxies, especially for Fe and N. Internally, age gradients are nearly flat in low-$σ$ galaxies and slightly negative in high-$σ$ systems ($\sim$-0.04 dex per decade). [Fe/H] radial gradients steepen from -0.06 dex per decade to -0.15 dex per decade across $σ$, while light elements (except Na) show $\sim$-0.03 dex per decade gradients. Scatter in gradients peaks in high-$σ$ galaxies, most strongly for Fe ($\sim$0.23 dex), suggesting comparable numbers of inside-out and outside-in formation. A near-zero ($\sim$-0.03) age and light-element gradient plus mild [Fe/H] gradients supports hierarchical merging for ETG evolution. Simulations match the observed age structure, slope change at $\logσ\sim 2.0$, and flat gradients, though they overpredict absolute abundances.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

HST Low Resolution Stellar Library

Hubble Space Telescope's (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) targeted 556 stars in a long-running program called Next Generation Spectral Library (NGSL) via proposals GO9088, GO9786, GO10222, and GO13776. Exposures through three low resolution gratings provide wavelength coverage from 0.2 $< λ<$ 1 $μ$m at $λ/Δλ\sim$ 1000, providing unique coverage in the ultraviolet (UV). The UV grating (G230LB) scatters red light and this results in unwanted flux that becomes especially troubling for cool stars. We applied scattered light corrections based on \cite{2022stis.rept....5W} and flux corrections arising from pointing errors relative to the center of the 0\farcs2 slit. We present 514 fully reduced spectra, fluxed, dereddened, and cross-correlated to zero velocity. Because of the broad spectral range, we can simultaneously study H$α$ and Mg II $λ$2800, indicators of chromospheric activity. Their behaviours are decoupled. Besides three cool dwarfs and one giant with mild flares in H$α$, only Be stars show strong H$α$ emission. Mg2800 emission, however, strongly anti-correlates with temperature such that warm stars show absorption and stars cooler than $5000 \: \! \rm{K}$ universally show chromospheric emission regardless of dwarf/giant status or metallicity. Transformed to Mg2800 flux emerging from the stellar surface, we find a correlation with temperature with approximately symmetric astrophysical scatter, in contrast to other workers who find a basal level with asymmetric scatter to strong values. Unsurprisingly, we confirm that Mg2800 activity is variable.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Scattered Light in STIS Grating G230LB

The G230LB grating used with STIS's CCD detector scatters red light. In red objects, the scattered light mingles with the ultraviolet signal, causing spurious short-wavelength flux and weakening absorption features. Recent calibration observations characterize the scattered light using duplicate observations with the MAMA detector and similar grating G230L. The full two-dimensional spectrum contains little helpful information to mitigate the scattered light problem. For one-dimensional, extracted spectra, the scattered light can be approximately modeled as a ramped pedestal whose amplitude is proportional to the object's V-band flux. We present formulae for scattered light corrections. For stars warmer than G0 spectral type, correction is superfluous. Off-slit-center positioning appears not to affect the properties of the scattered light. Therefore, we are able to extrapolate correction formulae for extended objects from the point source formulae. Polynomials for flux corrections due to off-center slit positioning in the 0.2 arcsec slit are also tabulated.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2022

Individual element sensitivity for stellar evolutionary isochrones

Stellar evolution calculations with variable abundance ratios were used to gauge the effects on temperatures, luminosities, and lifetimes in various phases. Individual elements C, N, O, Mg, Si, and Fe were included. Most of the effect relevant to integrated light models is contained in the temperature variable, as opposed to the timescale or luminosity. We derive a recipe for including abundance-sensitive temperature effects that is applicable to existing isochrone grids. The resultant enhanced isochrones are incorporated into composite stellar population models and compared with galaxy data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. A severe oxygen-age degeneracy is apparent, 2 - 3 Gyr per 0.1 dex in [O/R], where R represents a heavy element such as Fe. Over the range of early-type galaxy velocity dispersion, the spans of all abundance ratios are reduced but the age range increases, systematically older. Allowing Fe-peak elements the freedom to vary accentuates this increase of age span. Overall, these results sharpen the age-mass correlation known as downsizing but decrease the steepness of abundance ratio gradients. Both of these observations, in turn, imply a more robust contribution from gas free mergers in the histories of typical elliptical galaxies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

The frequency by mass of Galactic carbon stars inferred from Gaia measurements of star cluster members

We investigate the frequency of occurrence of Galactic carbon stars as a function of progenitor mass using Gaia data. Small number statistics limit fidelity, but C star frequency agrees with that observed in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) down to $m \approx1.67$ M$_\odot$. At $m \approx 1.38$ M$_\odot$, the frequency rises by a factor of three even though the frequency appears to drop to zero for the MCs. In fact this is due to a lack of clusters at the key age range in the MCs. At $m \approx 1.24$ M$_\odot$ and below, no C stars are observed, corresponding to ages older than 4 Gyr. Within uncertainties, C~star frequency in M 31 is consistent with that of the Galaxy and the MCs. We find an ambiguous C-star candidate at $\sim$7 M$_\odot$.

astro-ph.GA↗