arXiv subjects

Vanessa McBride

Publications and source records attributed to Vanessa McBride.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

A Radio Flare in the Long-Lived Afterglow of the Distant Short GRB 210726A: Energy Injection or a Reverse Shock from Shell Collisions?

We present the discovery of the radio afterglow of the short $γ$-ray burst (GRB) 210726A, localized to a galaxy at a photometric redshift of $z\sim 2.4$. While radio observations commenced $\lesssim 1~$day after the burst, no radio emission was detected until $\sim11~$days. The radio afterglow subsequently brightened by a factor of $\sim 3$ in the span of a week, followed by a rapid decay (a "radio flare"). We find that a forward shock afterglow model cannot self-consistently describe the multi-wavelength X-ray and radio data, and underpredicts the flux of the radio flare by a factor of $\approx 5$. We find that the addition of substantial energy injection, which increases the isotropic kinetic energy of the burst by a factor of $\approx 4$, or a reverse shock from a shell collision are viable solutions to match the broad-band behavior. At $z\sim 2.4$, GRB 210726A is among the highest redshift short GRBs discovered to date as well as the most luminous in radio and X-rays. Combining and comparing all previous radio afterglow observations of short GRBs, we find that the majority of published radio searches conclude by $\lesssim 10~$days after the burst, potentially missing these late rising, luminous radio afterglows.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Workforce Development in Astronomy and Astroinformatics

Policy Brief on "Workforce Development in Astronomy and Astroinformatics", distilled from the corresponding panel that was part of the discussions during S20 Policy Webinar on Astroinformatics for Sustainable Development held on 6-7 July 2023. The discipline of astronomy and astroinformatics is dynamically evolving thereby creating a compelling opportunity to foster a more inclusive, diverse, and proficient workforce. This is crucial for addressing multifaceted challenges that emerge as we progress and harness the potential therein. To realize this goal, it's imperative to cultivate strategies that promote inclusive practices in STEM education, encourage participation from historically excluded groups, provide training and mentorship, as well as provide active champions, especially for students and early career professionals from (historically) excluded groups. We provide an overview of the current status, resources available, and possible steps especially keeping in mind large international projects. The policy webinar took place during the G20 presidency in India (2023). A summary based on the seven panels can be found here: arxiv:2401.04623.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

AstroInformatics: Recommendations for Global Cooperation

Policy Brief on "AstroInformatics, Recommendations for Global Collaboration", distilled from panel discussions during S20 Policy Webinar on Astroinformatics for Sustainable Development held on 6-7 July 2023. The deliberations encompassed a wide array of topics, including broad astroinformatics, sky surveys, large-scale international initiatives, global data repositories, space-related data, regional and international collaborative efforts, as well as workforce development within the field. These discussions comprehensively addressed the current status, notable achievements, and the manifold challenges that the field of astroinformatics currently confronts. The G20 nations present a unique opportunity due to their abundant human and technological capabilities, coupled with their widespread geographical representation. Leveraging these strengths, significant strides can be made in various domains. These include, but are not limited to, the advancement of STEM education and workforce development, the promotion of equitable resource utilization, and contributions to fields such as Earth Science and Climate Science. We present a concise overview, followed by specific recommendations that pertain to both ground-based and space data initiatives. Our team remains readily available to furnish further elaboration on any of these proposals as required. Furthermore, we anticipate further engagement during the upcoming G20 presidencies in Brazil (2024) and South Africa (2025) to ensure the continued discussion and realization of these objectives. The policy webinar took place during the G20 presidency in India (2023). Notes based on the seven panels will be separately published.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2022

SXP 15.6 -- an accreting pulsar close to spin equilibrium?

SXP 15.6 is a recently established Be star X-ray binary system (BeXRB) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Like many such systems the variable X-ray emission is driven by the underlying behaviour of the mass donor Be star. It is shown here that the neutron star in this system is exceptionally close to spin equilibrium averaged over several years, with the angular momentum gain from mass transfer being almost exactly balanced by radiative losses. This makes SXP 15.6 exceptional compared to all other known members of its class in the SMC, all of whom exhibit much higher spin period changes. In this paper we report on X-ray observations of the brightest known outburst from this system. These observations are supported by contemporaneous optical and radio observations, as well as several years of historical data.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

MeerCRAB: MeerLICHT Classification of Real and Bogus Transients using Deep Learning

Astronomers require efficient automated detection and classification pipelines when conducting large-scale surveys of the (optical) sky for variable and transient sources. Such pipelines are fundamentally important, as they permit rapid follow-up and analysis of those detections most likely to be of scientific value. We therefore present a deep learning pipeline based on the convolutional neural network architecture called $\texttt{MeerCRAB}$. It is designed to filter out the so called 'bogus' detections from true astrophysical sources in the transient detection pipeline of the MeerLICHT telescope. Optical candidates are described using a variety of 2D images and numerical features extracted from those images. The relationship between the input images and the target classes is unclear, since the ground truth is poorly defined and often the subject of debate. This makes it difficult to determine which source of information should be used to train a classification algorithm. We therefore used two methods for labelling our data (i) thresholding and (ii) latent class model approaches. We deployed variants of $\texttt{MeerCRAB}$ that employed different network architectures trained using different combinations of input images and training set choices, based on classification labels provided by volunteers. The deepest network worked best with an accuracy of 99.5$\%$ and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) value of 0.989. The best model was integrated to the MeerLICHT transient vetting pipeline, enabling the accurate and efficient classification of detected transients that allows researchers to select the most promising candidates for their research goals.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Inclusive education and research through African Network of Women in Astronomy and STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia initiatives

The African Network of Women in Astronomy and STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia initiatives have been established with aim to strengthen the participation of girls and women in astronomy and science in Africa and Ethiopia. We will not be able to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals without full participation of women and girls in all aspects of our society and without giving in future the same opportunity to all children to access education independently on their socio-economical status. In this paper both initiatives are briefly introduced.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2021

Anomalous gas in ESO 149-G003: A MeerKAT-16 View

ESO 149-G003 is a close-by, isolated dwarf irregular galaxy. Previous observations with the ATCA indicated the presence of anomalous neutral hydrogen (HI) deviating from the kinematics of a regularly rotating disc. We conducted follow-up observations with the MeerKAT radio telescope during the 16-dish Early Science programme as well as with the MeerLICHT optical telescope. Our more sensitive radio observations confirm the presence of anomalous gas in ESO 149-G003, and further confirm the formerly tentative detection of an extraplanar HI component in the galaxy. Employing a simple tilted-ring model, in which the kinematics is determined with only four parameters but including morphological asymmetries, we reproduce the galaxy's morphology, which shows a high degree of asymmetry. By comparing our model with the observed HI, we find that in our model we cannot account for a significant (but not dominant) fraction of the gas. From the differences between our model and the observed data cube we estimate that at least 7%-8% of the HI in the galaxy exhibits anomalous kinematics, while we estimate a minimum mass fraction of less than 1% for the morphologically confirmed extraplanar component. We investigate a number of global scaling relations and find that, besides being gas-dominated with a neutral gas-to-stellar mass ratio of 1.7, the galaxy does not show any obvious global peculiarities. Given its isolation, as confirmed by optical observations, we conclude that the galaxy is likely currently acquiring neutral gas. It is either re-accreting gas expelled from the galaxy or accreting pristine intergalactic material.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

Imbalance Learning for Variable Star Classification

The accurate automated classification of variable stars into their respective sub-types is difficult. Machine learning based solutions often fall foul of the imbalanced learning problem, which causes poor generalisation performance in practice, especially on rare variable star sub-types. In previous work, we attempted to overcome such deficiencies via the development of a hierarchical machine learning classifier. This 'algorithm-level' approach to tackling imbalance, yielded promising results on Catalina Real-Time Survey (CRTS) data, outperforming the binary and multi-class classification schemes previously applied in this area. In this work, we attempt to further improve hierarchical classification performance by applying 'data-level' approaches to directly augment the training data so that they better describe under-represented classes. We apply and report results for three data augmentation methods in particular: $\textit{R}$andomly $\textit{A}$ugmented $\textit{S}$ampled $\textit{L}$ight curves from magnitude $\textit{E}$rror ($\texttt{RASLE}$), augmenting light curves with Gaussian Process modelling ($\texttt{GpFit}$) and the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique ($\texttt{SMOTE}$). When combining the 'algorithm-level' (i.e. the hierarchical scheme) together with the 'data-level' approach, we further improve variable star classification accuracy by 1-4$\%$. We found that a higher classification rate is obtained when using $\texttt{GpFit}$ in the hierarchical model. Further improvement of the metric scores requires a better standard set of correctly identified variable stars and, perhaps enhanced features are needed.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

An X-ray and optical study of the outbursting behaviour of the SMC Be X-ray binary SXP 91.1

In this paper we report on the optical and X-ray behaviour of the Be X-ray binary, SXP 91.1, during a recent type I outburst. We monitored the outburst using the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. These data were supported by optical data from the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) to show the circumstellar disc activity. Matter from this disc accretes onto the neutron star, giving rise to the X-ray outburst as seen in the synchronous evolution of the optical and X-ray lightcurves. Using data taken with OGLE we show that the circumstellar disc has exhibited stable behaviour over two decades. A positive correlation is seen between the colour and magnitude from the OGLE and MACHO observations, which indicates that the disc is orientated at relatively low inclination angles. From the OGLE and Swift data, we demonstrate that the system has shown relative phase offsets that have persisted for many years. The spin period derivative is seen to be at maximum spin-up at phases when the mass accretion rate is at maximum. We show that the neutron star in SXP 91.1 is an unusual member of its class in that it has had a consistent spin period derivative over many years, with the average spin-up rate being one of the highest for known SMC pulsars. The most recent measurements of the spin-up rate reveal higher values than the global trend, which is attributed to the recent mass accretion event leading to the current outburst.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

The SMC X-ray binary SXP4.78 : a new Type II outburst and the identification and study of the optical counterpart

SXP4.78 was originally discovered in 2000 as a pulsar in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) but it was not spatially located at that time. A new detection in 2018 with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory during a Type II outburst permitted its position to be accurately located and its optical counterpart identified. We report X-ray and optical monitoring covering epochs before and during the outburst. Using photometric data we show the long-term variability of the Be disc where we present flux and colour changes associated with the disc growth and decay over a period of ~6000 days. We show evidence of disc growth during the recent outburst through an increase in the H-alpha equivalent width and photometric flux. Period analysis was performed using both optical photometric and spectroscopic data, but with no significant detection of an orbital period. A modest periodic signature of 2.65 days was detected from the OGLE I band data, however, but we attribute that to the non-radial pulsations (NRPs) of the Be star. We also obtained a blue spectrum from the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) which permits us to classify the spectral type as B0.5 IV-V.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Development in Astronomy and Space Science in Africa

The development of astronomy and space science in Africa has grown significantly over the past few years. These advancements make the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals more achievable, and open up the possibility of new beneficial collaborations.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2017

The orbit of the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856

Gamma-ray binaries are a small subclass of the high mass X-ray binary population which exhibit emission across the whole electromagnetic spectrum. We present radial velocities of 1FGL J1018.6$-$5856 based on observations obtained with the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). We combine our measurements with those published in the literature to get a broad phase coverage. The mass function obtained supports a neutron star compact object, although a black hole mass is possible for very low inclination angles. The improved phase coverage allows constraints to be placed on the orbital eccentricity (e = 0.31 $\pm$ 0.16), which agrees with estimates from high-energy data.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

The role of binarity in Wolf-Rayet central stars of planetary nebulae

Over a hundred planetary nebulae (PNe) are known to have H-deficient central stars that mimic the spectroscopic appearance of massive Wolf-Rayet stars. The formation of these low-mass Wolf-Rayet stars, denoted [WR] stars, remains poorly understood. While several binary formation scenarios have been proposed, there are too few [WR] binaries known to determine their feasibility. Out of nearly 50 post-common-envelope (post-CE) binary central stars known, only PN G222.8$-$04.2 ([WC7], $P=1.26$ d) and NGC 5189 ([WO1], $P=4.05$ d) have a [WR] component. The available data suggests that post-CE central stars with [WR] components lack main sequence companions and have a wider orbital separation than typical post-CE binaries. There is also some indirect evidence for wide binaries that could potentially lead to the discovery of more [WR] binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

Post-common-envelope Wolf-Rayet central stars of planetary nebulae

Nearly 50 post-common-envelope (post-CE) close binary central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) are now known. Most contain either main sequence or white dwarf (WD) companions that orbit the WD primary in around 0.1-1.0 days. Only PN~G222.8-04.2 and NGC~5189 have post-CE CSPNe with a Wolf-Rayet star primary (denoted [WR]), the low-mass analogues of massive Wolf-Rayet stars. It is not well understood how H-deficient [WR] CSPNe form, even though they are relatively common, appearing in over 100 PNe. The discovery and characterisation of post-CE [WR] CSPNe is essential to determine whether proposed binary formation scenarios are feasible to explain this enigmatic class of stars. The existence of post-CE [WR] binaries alone suggests binary mergers are not necessarily a pathway to form [WR] stars. Here we give an overview of the initial results of a radial velocity monitoring programme of [WR] CSPNe to search for new binaries. We discuss the motivation for the survey and the associated strong selection effects. The mass functions determined for PN~G222.8-04.2 and NGC~5189, together with literature photometric variability data of other [WR] CSPNe, suggest that of the post-CE [WR] CSPNe yet to be found, most will have WD or subdwarf O/B-type companions in wider orbits than typical post-CE CSPNe (several days or months c.f. less than a day).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

A radial velocity survey for post-common-envelope Wolf-Rayet central stars of planetary nebulae: First results and discovery of the close binary nucleus of NGC 5189

The formation of Wolf-Rayet central stars of planetary nebulae ([WR] CSPNe) whose spectroscopic appearance mimics massive WR stars remains poorly understood. Least understood is the nature and frequency of binary companions to [WR] CSPNe that may explain their H-deficiency. We have conducted a systematic radial velocity (RV) study of 6 [WR] CSPNe to search for post-common-envelope (post-CE) [WR] binaries. We used a cross-correlation method to construct the RV time-series as successfully done for massive close binary WR stars. No significant RV variability was detected for the late-[WC] type nuclei of Hen 2-113, Hen 3-1333, PMR 2 and Hen 2-99. Significant, large-amplitude variability was found in the [WC4] nucleus of NGC 5315. In the [WO1] nucleus of NGC 5189 we discovered significant periodic variability that reveals a close binary with $P_\mathrm{orb}=4.04\pm0.1$ d. We measured a semi-amplitude of $62.3\pm1.3$ km s$^{-1}$ that gives a companion mass of $m_2\ge0.5$ $M_\odot$ or $m_2=0.84$ $M_\odot$ (assuming $i=45^\circ$). The most plausible companion type is a massive WD as found in Fleming 1. The spectacular nebular morphology of NGC 5189 fits the pattern of recently discovered post-CE PNe extremely well with its dominant low-ionisation structures (e.g. as in NGC 6326) and collimated outflows (e.g. as in Fleming 1). The anomalously long 4.04 d orbital period is either a once-off (e.g. NGC 2346) or it may indicate there is a sizeable population of [WR] binaries with massive WD companions in relatively wide orbits, perhaps influenced by interactions with the strong [WR] wind.

astro-ph.SR↗