arXiv subjects

Wen-Xiong Li

Publications and source records attributed to Wen-Xiong Li.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

EP251023a: A fast X-ray transient featuring a magnetar-powered optical internal plateau followed by a steep decay

EP251023a is an extragalactic fast X-ray transient (eFXT) detected solely by EP without a gamma-ray counterpart. The prompt emission consists of a main emission with a duration $T_{90}=292\pm19$ s, followed by a long-lasting tail emission that persists until the observation ends at $T_0+1571$ s. With the upper limit of Konus--Wind, we derived a conservative upper limit on the isotropic gamma-ray energy $E_{γ,\rm{iso}}$ of $5.7 \times 10^{52}$ erg for the main emission phase. A redshift of $z = 2.232\pm0.001$ is identified from strong absorption features in the Keck spectrum, which also indicate a relatively low host-galaxy HI column density. Based on the broadband spectral energy distribution, the late-time light curves show an achromatic plateau, followed by an extremely steep decay with a slope of 3.99 after a break at about 49 ks, which is consistent with a rapidly spinning millisecond magnetar engine. Under the isotropic wind scenario, we obtain the initial period $P_0<2.27$~ms and the magnetic field strength $B_p<8.33\times10^{14}$~G for the magnetar; whereas considering a jet collimation with a typical opening angle of 0.1 rad relaxes these constraints to $P_0<32.15$~ms and $B_p<1.18\times10^{16}$~G. Together with GRB\,070707, EP251023a may represent a rare class of optical magnetar-powered internal plateaus with little external-shock contamination, unlike previous examples detected primarily in X-rays. Future discoveries of similar events will help clarify the relationship between magnetar-powered internal emission observed in the optical band and that detected only in X-rays.

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arXiv2026

Discovery of low-redshift analogues to "Little Red Dots" in DESI: A later evolutionary stage of compact LRDs?

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has recently discovered a population of compact, red sources at z > 4 known as "Little Red Dots" (LRDs). They are characterized by their V-shaped continuum spectra and prominent broad Balmer emission lines. As their underlying physical nature remains debated and direct study at high-redshift is challenging; therefore, we seek to identify and characterize LRD analogues in the low-redshift universe to constrain their properties and potential evolutionary pathways. We identified five candidates at z = 0.2-0.4 from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that exhibit spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and broad Balmer emission lines closely resembling their high-redshift counterparts. However, we find significant differences: our low-redshift sample occupies a different region on the Baldwin, Phillips \& Terlevich (BPT) diagram, and their stellar masses are significantly higher, suggesting a more substantial host galaxy contribution. These sources are not necessarily direct local analogues of high-redshift LRDs, but may represent later evolutionary stages of compact, rapidly accreting systems, or systems with related observational properties arising under different physical conditions. This sample provides a valuable laboratory for detailed follow-up studies to elucidate the nature of LRD-like phenomena.

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arXiv2026

An Archival Optical Counterpart Search for Extragalactic Fast X-Ray Transients Discovered by Einstein Probe

Extragalactic fast X-ray transients (eFXTs) represent a rapidly growing class of high-energy phenomena, whose physical origins remain poorly understood. With its wide-field, sensitive all-sky monitoring, the Einstein Probe (EP) has greatly increased the discovery rate of eFXTs. The search and identification of the optical counterparts of eFXT are vital for understanding their classification and constraining their physical origin. Yet, a considerable fraction of eFXTs still lack secure classifications due to the absence of timely follow-up observations. We carry out a systematic search of publicly available optical survey data and transient databases (including the Zwicky Transient Facility, ZTF, and the Transient Name Server, TNS) for optical counterparts to eFXT candidates detected by EP. In this paper, we describe our ongoing program and report the first results. Specifically, we identified the eFXT EP240506a to be associated with a UV/optical counterpart, AT 2024ofs. Spectroscopy of its host galaxy with VLT yields a redshift of $z = 0.120 \pm 0.002$. By combining archival survey data with early-time multiwavelength observations, we find that the luminosity and light-curve evolution of AT~2024ofs are consistent with a core-collapse supernova origin. From detectability simulations, we estimate a local event rate density $ρ_{0}=8.8^{+21.2}_{-3.9}\ \mathrm{yr^{-1}\, Gpc^{-3}}$ for EP240506a-like events, and completeness-corrected rate of about $36$--$78\ \mathrm{yr^{-1}\ Gpc^{-3}}$ for EP-detected X-ray transients associated with supernovae. Our results demonstrate the potential of EP to uncover prompt high-energy emission from core-collapse supernovae and underscore the critical importance of timely follow-up of future eFXT events.

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arXiv2025

Spectral Hardening Reveals Afterglow Emergence in Long-Duration Fast X-ray Transients: A Case Study of GRB 250404A/EP250404a

The prompt emission and afterglow phases of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been extensively studied, yet the transition between these two phases remains inadequately characterized due to limited multiwavelength observational coverage. Among the recent growing samples of fast X-ray transients observed by Einstein Probe (EP), a subgroup of GRBs are captured with long-duration X-ray emission, potentially containing featured evolution from prompt emission to the afterglow phase. In this Letter, we present a detailed analysis of GRB 250404A/EP250404a, a bright fast X-ray transient detected simultaneously by EP and the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor in X-rays and gamma rays. Its continuous X-ray emission reveals a long-duration tail, accompanied by distinct spectral evolution manifested by the spectral index $α_{\rm X}$ with an initial softening, followed by an evident hardening, eventually reaching a plateau at the value of $\sim$ -2. Early optical and near-infrared observations enable broadband modeling with forward- and reverse-shock components, confirming that the X-ray hardening signals the emergence of the external-shock afterglow. From this spectral hardening we infer that the prompt phase in soft X-rays lasted $\sim300\;\mathrm{s}$, which is more than 3 times longer than the gamma-ray $T_{90}$. This well-tracked soft-hard-flat spectral pattern provides a clear indication of afterglow emergence from the fading prompt emission and offers a practical criterion for identifying a distinct population of GRBs among fast X-ray transients, even when the detection of the gamma-ray counterpart or obvious temporal break is absent.

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arXiv2025

Characterizing the Palomar 5 Stream: HDBSCAN Analysis and Galactic Halo Constraints

We utilize the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys DR10 to investigate the previously undetected faint extension of the Palomar 5 stellar stream. By applying the HDBSCAN clustering algorithm, we identify stream members and successfully extend the leading arm of the stream to approximately $\mathrm{DEC} \sim -15^\circ$. Combining the fully detected stream with a suite of mock stream simulations, we conduct a detailed comparison to constrain both the intrinsic properties of the stream and the dynamical parameters of the Milky Way (MW) halo. Our analysis yields a best-fit model characterized by eight parameters: $M_{\mathrm{halo}} = 5.67\times10^{11}\ M_{\odot}$, $r_{s,\mathrm{halo}} = 28.94\ \mathrm{kpc}$, $q_z = 0.93$, $M_{\mathrm{gc}} = 4.31\times10^{3}\ M_{\odot}$, $dM_{\mathrm{gc}}/dt = 1.81\ M_{\odot}\ \mathrm{Myr}^{-1}$, $μ_α\cosδ= -2.28\ \mathrm{mas\ yr}^{-1}$, $μ_δ = -2.26\ \mathrm{mas\ yr}^{-1}$, and $D = 23.25\ \mathrm{kpc}$. Notably, our constraints on the halo shape indicate that the MW's dark matter halo exhibits a flattened potential, with a minor-to-major axis ratio of $q_z = 0.93$. This finding aligns well with theoretical expectations and previous observational estimates. Additionally, the best-fit model accurately reproduces the observed stream morphology and dynamics, providing a more precise understanding of both the evolution of the stream and the overall structure of the Galactic halo.

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arXiv2025

EP240801a/XRF 240801B: An X-ray Flash Detected by the Einstein Probe and Implications of its Multiband Afterglow

We present multiband observations and analysis of EP240801a, a low-energy, extremely soft gamma-ray burst (GRB) discovered on August 1, 2024 by the Einstein Probe (EP) satellite, with a weak contemporaneous signal also detected by Fermi/GBM. Optical spectroscopy of the afterglow, obtained by GTC and Keck, identified the redshift of $z = 1.6734$. EP240801a exhibits a burst duration of 148 s in X-rays and 22.3 s in gamma-rays, with X-rays leading by 80.61 s. Spectral lag analysis indicates the gamma-ray signal arrived 8.3 s earlier than the X-rays. Joint spectral fitting of EP/WXT and Fermi/GBM data yields an isotropic energy $E_{γ,\rm{iso}} = (5.57^{+0.54}_{-0.50})\times 10^{51}\,\rm{erg}$, a peak energy $E_{\rm{peak}} = 14.90^{+7.08}_{-4.71}\,\rm{keV}$, a fluence ratio $\rm S(25-50\,\rm{keV})/S(50-100\,\rm{keV}) = 1.67^{+0.74}_{-0.46}$, classifying EP240801a as an X-ray flash (XRF). The host-galaxy continuum spectrum, inferred using Prospector, was used to correct its contribution for the observed outburst optical data. Unusual early $R$-band behavior and EP/FXT observations suggest multiple components in the afterglow. Three models are considered: two-component jet model, forward-reverse shock model and forward-shock model with energy injection. Both three provide reasonable explanations. The two-component jet model and the energy injection model imply a relatively small initial energy and velocity of the jet in the line of sight, while the forward-reverse shock model remains typical. Under the two-component jet model, EP240801a may resemble GRB 221009A (BOAT) if the bright narrow beam is viewed on-axis. Therefore, EP240801a can be interpreted as an off-beam (narrow) jet or an intrinsically weak GRB jet. Our findings provide crucial clues for uncovering the origin of XRFs.

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arXiv2025

Star Proper Motions Based on Two-epoch Observations from the SDSS and DESI Imaging Surveys

In this study, we present the construction of a new proper motion catalog utilizing the photometric data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) imaging surveys, with a median time baseline of about 13 years. To mitigate systematic errors, the DESI galaxy positions are employed to establish a reference frame and to correct the position-, magnitude-, and color-dependent discrepancies between SDSS and DESI imaging datasets. Spanning 12,589 square degrees, the catalog encompasses about 223.7 million non-Gaia objects down to $m_r \sim$ 23. Based on 734k quasars, the assessment of the global systematic errors in the DESI-SDSS proper motion catalog yields values of 0.06 mas yr$^{-1}$ for $μ_{α_{*}}$ and 0.12 mas yr$^{-1}$ for $μ_δ$. The catalog exhibits precision surpassing 3.4 mas yr$^{-1}$, albeit varying with position, color, and magnitude. An additional evaluation employing approximately 2,644 distant star samples yields an overall precision of approximately 2.5 and 2.9 mas yr$^{-1}$ for $μ_{α_{*}}$ and $μ_δ$, respectively. Further comparisons with proper motions from SDSS Stripe 82 reveal a strong consistency between the two datasets. As a practical application, we utilize fainter non-Gaia objects in our catalog to update the proper motions of 15 star clusters. The resulting proper motions for these clusters exhibit excellent consistency with those derived from Gaia data. Our proper motion measurements, characterized by a deeper limiting magnitude, stand as a valuable complement to the Gaia dataset.

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arXiv2022

ET White Paper: To Find the First Earth 2.0

We propose to develop a wide-field and ultra-high-precision photometric survey mission, temporarily named "Earth 2.0 (ET)". This mission is designed to measure, for the first time, the occurrence rate and the orbital distributions of Earth-sized planets. ET consists of seven 30cm telescopes, to be launched to the Earth-Sun's L2 point. Six of these are transit telescopes with a field of view of 500 square degrees. Staring in the direction that encompasses the original Kepler field for four continuous years, this monitoring will return tens of thousands of transiting planets, including the elusive Earth twins orbiting solar-type stars. The seventh telescope is a 30cm microlensing telescope that will monitor an area of 4 square degrees toward the galactic bulge. This, combined with simultaneous ground-based KMTNet observations, will measure masses for hundreds of long-period and free-floating planets. Together, the transit and the microlensing telescopes will revolutionize our understandings of terrestrial planets across a large swath of orbital distances and free space. In addition, the survey data will also facilitate studies in the fields of asteroseismology, Galactic archeology, time-domain sciences, and black holes in binaries.

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arXiv2020

The Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Telescopes for Survey: Overview and Performance of the System

Over the past decade, time-domain astronomy in optical bands has developed rapidly with the operations of some wide-field survey facilities. However, most of these surveys are conducted with only a single band, and simultaneous color information is usually unavailable for the objects monitored during the survey. Here we present introductions to the system of Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Telescopes for Survey (TMTS), which consists of an array of four optical telescopes installed on a single equatorial mount. Such a system is designed to get multiband photometry simultaneously for stars and transients discovered during the survey. The optics of each telescope is a modified Hamilton-Newtonian system, covering the wavelengths from 400 to 900 nm, with a field of view (FoV) of about 4.5 deg2 and a plate scale of 1.86"/pixel when combining with a 4K*4K QHY4040 CMOS detector. The TMTS system can have a FoV of about 9 deg2 when monitoring the sky with two bands (i.e., SDSS g and r filters) at the same time, and a maximum FoV of ~18 deg2 when four telescopes monitor different sky areas in monochromatic filter mode. For an exposure time of 60 s, the average 3σ detection limit of the TMTS system can reach at ~19.4 mag in Luminous filter and at ~18.7 mag in SDSS r filter. The preliminary discovery obtained during the first few months' survey is briefly discussed. As this telescope array is located at the Xinglong Observatory of NAOC, it can have an excellent synergy with the spectroscopic survey by the LAMOST (with a FoV of about 20 deg2) at the same site, which will benefit the studies of stellar and binary physics besides the transient sciences.

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