215 research outputs found
The Dust Sublimation Region of the Type 1 AGN NGC 4151 at a Hundred Microarcsecond Scale as Resolved by the CHARA Array Interferometer
No full textThe nuclear region of Type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) has only been partially resolved so far in the near-infrared (IR), where we expect to see the dust sublimation region and the nucleus directly without obscuration. Here, we present the near-IR interferometric observation of the brightest Type 1 AGN NGC 4151 at long baselines of ∼250 m using the CHARA Array, reaching structures at hundred microarcsecond scales. The squared visibilities decrease down to as low as ∼0.25, definitely showing that the structure is resolved. Furthermore, combining with the previous visibility measurements at shorter baselines but at different position angles, we show that the structure is elongated perpendicular to the polar axis of the nucleus, as defined by optical polarization and a linear radio jet. A thin-ring fit gives a minor/major axis ratio of ∼0.7 at a radius ∼0.5 mas (∼0.03 pc). This is consistent with the case where the sublimating dust grains are distributed preferentially in the equatorial plane in a ring-like geometry, viewed at an inclination angle of ∼40°. The recent mid-IR interferometric finding of polar-elongated geometry at a pc scale, together with a larger-scale polar outflow as spectrally resolved by the Hubble Space Telescope, would generally suggest a dusty, conical and hollow outflow being launched, presumably in the dust sublimation region. This might potentially lead to a polar-elongated morphology in the near-IR, as opposed to the results here. We discuss a possible scenario where an episodic, one-off anisotropic acceleration formed a polar-fast and equatorially slow velocity distribution, having led to an effectively flaring geometry as we observe
Photoexcitation spectroscopy and material alteration with free-electron laser
No full textAs synchrotron radiation sources have been used for many experiments in the ultraviolet and X-ray regimes, the free-electron laser is an excellent source for a wide array of infrared-photon projects and applications. The free-electron laser delivers a beam of powerful tunable pulsed radiation which provides the opportunity for spatial and temporal localization of the energy delivered at any desired wavelength within the 2-10 mu m regime. One application discussed employs the free-electron laser for spectroscopy as a probe of electronic and vibrational structures. Another application uses the free-electron laser beam as a tool for altering materials in a fundamentally new way.LSELPRXVanderbilt univ,dept appl & engn sci,nashville,tn 37235. ecole polytech fed lausanne,inst phys appl,ch-1015 lausanne,switzerland. Sturmann, J, VANDERBILT UNIV,DEPT PHYS & ASTRON,CTR MOL & ATOM STUDIES & SURFACES,BOX 1807-B,NASHVILLE,TN 37235.ISI Document Delivery No.: WW08
A new frontier for J-band interferometry: Dual-band NIR interferometry with MIRC-X
No full textIn this contribution we report on our work to increase the spectral range of the Michigan Infrared Combiner- eXeter (MIRC-X) instrument at the CHARA array to allow for dual H and J band interferometric observations. We comment on the key science drivers behind this project and the methods of characterisation and correction of instrumental birefringence and dispersion. In addition, we report on the first results from on-sky commissioning in November 2019. © COPYRIGHT SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.Immediate accessThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]
Fundamental properties of stars using asteroseismology from Kepler and CoRoT and interferometry from the CHARA Array
No full textWe present results of a long-baseline interferometry campaign using the PAVO beam combiner at the CHARA Array to measure the angular sizes of five main-sequence stars, one subgiant and four red giant stars for which solar-like oscillations have been detected by either Kepler or CoRoT. By combining interferometric angular diameters, Hipparcos parallaxes, asteroseismic densities, bolometric fluxes, and high-resolution spectroscopy, we derive a full set of near-model-independent fundamental properties for the sample. We first use these properties to test asteroseismic scaling relations for the frequency of maximum power (νmax) and the large frequency separation (Δν). We find excellent agreement within the observational uncertainties, and empirically show that simple estimates of asteroseismic radii for main-sequence stars are accurate to ≲ 4%. We furthermore find good agreement of our measured effective temperatures with spectroscopic and photometric estimates with mean deviations for stars between T eff = 4600-6200 K of -22 ± 32 K (with a scatter of 97K) and -58 ± 31 K (with a scatter of 93K), respectively. Finally, we present a first comparison with evolutionary models, and find differences between observed and theoretical properties for the metal-rich main-sequence star HD173701. We conclude that the constraints presented in this study will have strong potential for testing stellar model physics, in particular when combined with detailed modeling of individual oscillation frequencies. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved
A new frontier for J-band interferometry: Dual-band NIR interferometry with MIRC-X
No full textIn this contribution we report on our work to increase the spectral range of the Michigan Infrared Combiner- eXeter (MIRC-X) instrument at the CHARA array to allow for dual H and J band interferometric observations. We comment on the key science drivers behind this project and the methods of characterisation and correction of instrumental birefringence and dispersion. In addition, we report on the first results from on-sky commissioning in November 2019
CCD drift-scan imaging lunar occultations: A feasible approach for sub-meter class telescopes
No full textA CCD drift-scanning technique for lunar occultation (LO) observations is presented. While this approach has been addressed before by Sturmann ([CITE]) for the case of large telescopes, the technical validity has never been discussed for sub-meter class telescopes. In contrast to Sturmann's scheme, the proposed technique places the CCD in the image plane of the
telescope. This does not represent a problem in the case of small telescopes, where the practical angular resolution attainable by LO is not limited by aperture smoothing. Photon-generated charge is read out at millisecond rates on a column by column basis, as the diffraction pattern of the occulted star is being tracked. Two LO events (SAO 7903
JOUVENCE OF FLUOR: UPGRADES OF A FIBER BEAM COMBINER AT THE CHARA ARRAY
No full textThe FLUOR (Fiber Linked Unit for Optical Recombination) interferometric beam combiner located at the CHARA Array on Mt. Wilson, California has recently undergone a program of major upgrades known as Jouvence of FLUOR (JouFLU). These upgrades seek to improve the precision, use, and observing efficiency of FLUOR as well as introduce new modes of operation. A Fourier Transform Spectrograph (FTS) mode and a spectral dispersion mode have been added to improve calibration and data collection. New mechanized stages and new cameras have been added to FLUOR for alignment and pupil plane imaging. Entirely new control/command software has been written for FLUOR which brings it into compliance with CHARA software standards. This allows for continued software upgrades and full remote operation capability. The new JouFLU instrument is now operating on sky and is expected to achieve accurate interferometric visibility amplitude measurements with 0.1 to 0.3 % precision
JouFLU: upgrades to the fiber linked unit for optical recombination (FLUOR) interferometric beam combiner.
No full textInternational audienceThe Fiber Linked Unit for Optical Recombination (FLUOR) is a precision interferometric beam combiner operating at the CHARA Array on Mt. Wilson, CA. It has recently been upgraded as part of a mission known as "Jouvence of FLUOR" or JouFLU. As part of this program JouFLU has new mechanic stages and optical payloads, new alignment systems, and new command/control software. Furthermore, new capabilities have been implemented such as a Fourier Transform Spectrograph (FTS) mode and spectral dispersion mode. These upgrades provide new capabilities to JouFLU as well as improving statistical precision and increasing observing efficiency. With these new systems, measurements of interferometric visibility to the level of 0.1% precision are expected on targets as faint as 6th magnitude in the K band. Here we detail the upgrades of JouFLU and report on its current status
Stellar Diameters and Temperatures. III. Main-sequence A, F, G, and K Stars: Additional High-precision Measurements and Empirical Relations
No full textBased on CHARA Array measurements, we present the angular diameters of 23 nearby, main-sequence stars, ranging from spectral types A7 to K0, 5 of which are exoplanet host stars. We derive linear radii, effective temperatures, and absolute luminosities of the stars using Hipparcos parallaxes and measured bolometric fluxes. The new data are combined with previously published values to create an Angular Diameter Anthology of measured angular diameters to main-sequence stars (luminosity classes V and IV). This compilation consists of 125 stars with diameter uncertainties of less than 5%, ranging in spectral types from A to M. The large quantity of empirical data is used to derive color-temperature relations to an assortment of color indices in the Johnson (BVR_(J)I_(J)JHK), Cousins (R_(C)I_(C)), Kron (R_(K)I_(K)), Sloan (griz), and WISE (W_(3)W_(4)) photometric systems. These relations have an average standard deviation of ~3% and are valid for stars with spectral types A0-M4. To derive even more accurate relations for Sun-like stars, we also determined these temperature relations omitting early-type stars (T_eff > 6750 K) that may have biased luminosity estimates because of rapid rotation; for this subset the dispersion is only ~2.5%. We find effective temperatures in agreement within a couple of percent for the interferometrically characterized sample of main-sequence stars compared to those derived via the infrared flux method and spectroscopic analysis
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