High-resolution Imaging Observations Research Articles

On the Origin of a Broad Quasiperiodic Fast-propagating Wave Train: Unwinding Jet as the Driver

Large-scale extreme-ultraviolet waves commonly exhibit as single wave front and are believed to be caused by coronal mass ejections. Utilizing high spatiotemporal resolution imaging observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we present two sequentially generated wave trains originating from the same active region: a narrow quasiperiodic fast-propagating (QFP) wave train that propagates along the coronal loop system above the jet and a broad QFP wave train that travels along the solar surface beneath the jet. The measurements indicate that the narrow QFP wave train and the accompanying flare’s quasiperiodic pulsations (QPPs) have nearly identical onsets and periods. This result suggests that the accompanying flare process excites the observed narrow QFP wave train. However, the broad QFP wave train starts approximately 2 minutes before the QPPs of the flare, but it is consistent with the interaction between the unwinding jet and the solar surface. Moreover, we find that the period of the broad QFP wave train, approximately 130 s, closely matches that of the unwinding jet. This period is significantly longer than the 30 s period of the accompanying flare’s QPPs. Based on these findings, we propose that the intermittent energy release of the accompanying flare excited the narrow QFP wave train confined propagating in the coronal loop system. The unwinding jet, rather than the intermittent energy release in the accompanying flare, triggered the broad QFP wave train propagating along the solar surface.

Disk Evolution Study Through Imaging of Nearby Young Stars (DESTINYS): The SPHERE view of the Orion star-forming region

Context. Resolved observations at near-infrared (near-IR) and millimeter wavelengths have revealed a diverse population of planet-forming disks. In particular, near-IR scattered light observations usually target close-by, low-mass star-forming regions. However, disk evolution in high-mass star-forming regions is likely affected by the different environment. Orion is the closest high-mass star-forming region, enabling resolved observations to be undertaken in the near-IR.Aims. We seek to examine planet-forming disks, in scattered light, within the high-mass star-forming region of Orion in order to study the impact of the environment in a higher-mass star-forming region on disk evolution.Methods. We present SPHERE/IRDISH-band data for a sample of 23 stars in the Orion star-forming region observed within the DESTINYS (Disk Evolution Study Through Imaging of Nearby Young Stars) program. We used polarization differential imaging in order to detect scattered light from circumstellar dust. From the scattered light observations we characterized the disk orientation, radius, and contrast. We analysed the disks in the context of the stellar parameters and the environment of the Orion star-forming region. We used ancillary X-shooter spectroscopic observations to characterize the central stars in the systems. We furthermore used a combination of new and archival ALMA mm-continuum photometry to characterize the dust masses present in the circumstellar disks.Results. Within our sample, we detect extended circumstellar disks in ten of 23 systems. Of these, three are exceptionally extended (V351 Ori, V599 Ori, and V1012 Ori) and show scattered light asymmetries that may indicate perturbations by embedded planets or (in the case of V599 Ori) by an outer stellar companion. Our high-resolution imaging observations are also sensitive to close (sub)stellar companions and we detect nine such objects in our sample, of which six were previously unknown. We find in particular a possible substellar companion (either a very low-mass star or a high-mass brown dwarf) 137 au from the star RY Ori. We find a strong anticorrelation between disk detection and multiplicity, with only two of our ten disk detections located in stellar multiple systems. We also find a correlation between scattered light contrast and the millimeter flux. This trend is not captured by previous studies of a more diversified sample and is due to the absence of extended, self-shadowed disks in our Orion sample. Conversely, we do not find significant correlations between the scattered light contrast of the disks and the stellar mass or age. We investigate the radial extent of the disks and compare this to the estimated far-ultraviolet (FUV) field strength at the system location. While we do not find a direct correlation, we notice that no extended disks are detected above an FUV field strength of ~300G0.

Milliarcsecond-scale radio structure of the most distant BL Lac object candidate at redshift 6.57

Context. The existence of accreting supermassive black holes of up to billions of solar masses at early cosmological epochs (in the context of this work, redshifts z ≳ 6) requires very fast growth rates that are challenging to explain. The presence of a relativistic jet can be a direct indication of activity and accretion status in active galactic nuclei (AGN), constraining the radiative properties of these extreme objects. However, known jetted AGN beyond z ∼ 6 are still very rare. Aims. The radio-emitting AGN J2331+1129 has recently been claimed as a candidate BL Lac object at redshift z = 6.57 based on its synchrotron-dominated emission spectrum and a lack of ultraviolet or optical emission lines. It is a promising candidate for the highest-redshift blazar known to date. The aim of the observations described here is to support or refute the blazar classification of this peculiar source. Methods. We performed high-resolution radio interferometric imaging observations of J2331+1129 using the Very Long Baseline Array at 1.6 and 4.9 GHz in February 2022. Results. The images reveal a compact but slightly resolved, flat-spectrum core feature at both frequencies, indicating that the total radio emission is produced by a compact jet and originates from within a central region of ∼10 pc in diameter. While these details are consistent with the radio properties of a BL Lac object, the inferred brightness temperatures are at least an order of magnitude lower than expected for a Doppler-boosted radio jet, which casts doubt on the high-redshift BL Lac identification.

Free-floating or Wide-orbit? Keck Adaptive-optics Observations of Free-floating Planet Candidates Detected with Gravitational Microlensing

Recent detections of extremely short-timescale microlensing events imply the existence of a large population of Earth- to Neptune-mass planets that appear to have no host stars. However, it is currently unknown whether these objects are truly free-floating planets or whether they are in wide orbits around a distant host star. Here, we present an analysis of high-resolution imaging observations of five free-floating planet candidates collected with the Keck telescope. If these candidates were actually wide-orbit planets, then the light of the host would appear at a separation of 40–60 mas from the microlensing source star. No such stars are detected. We carry out injection and recovery simulations to estimate the sensitivity to putative host stars at different separations. Depending on the object, the presented observations rule out 11%–36% of potential hosts assuming that the probability of hosting a planet does not depend on the host mass. The results are sensitive to the latter assumption, and the probability of detecting the host star in the analyzed images may be a factor of 1.9 ± 0.1 larger, if the exoplanet hosting probability scales as the first power of the host star mass, as suggested by recent studies of planetary microlensing events. We argue that deeper observations, for example with JWST, are needed to confidently confirm or refute the free-floating planet hypothesis.

What Drives the Ionized Gas Outflows in Radio-Quiet AGN?

We review the mechanisms driving the ionized gas outflows in radio-quiet (RQ) AGN. Although it constitutes ∼90% of the AGN population, what drives these outflows in these AGNs remains an open question. High-resolution imaging and integral field unit (IFU) observation is key to spatially resolving these outflows, whereas radio observations are important to comprehend the underlying radiative processes. Radio interferometric observations have detected linear, collimated structures on the hundreds of pc scale in RQ AGN, which may be very similar to the extended radio jets in powerful galaxies. Proper motions measured in some objects are sub-relativistic. Other processes, such as synchrotron radiation from shock-accelerated gas around the outflows could give rise to radio emissions as well. Near the launching region, these outflows may be driven by the thermal energy of the accretion disk and exhibit free–free emission. IFU observations on the other hand have detected evidence of both winds and jets and the outflows driven by them in radio-quiet AGN. Some examples include nearby AGN such as Mrk 1044 and HE 1353-1917. An IFU study of nearby (z <0.06) RQ AGN has found that these outflows may be related to their radio properties on <100 pc scale, rather than their accretion properties. Recent JWST observations of RQ AGN XID 2028 have revealed that radio jets and wind could inflate bubbles, create cavities, and trigger star formation. Future high-resolution multi-wavelength observations and numerical simulations taking account of both jets and winds are hence essential to understand the complex interaction between radio-quiet AGN and the host from sub-pc to kpc scales.

Revealing the Nature of Strong Lensing System J1436+4943 with Only the MaNGA Data

Strong gravitational lensing is a powerful tool for probing the mass content of the Universe. Both high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy observations are important for identifying and measuring the properties of the lensing object. The strong lensing system J1436+4943 was discovered in the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey and further observed with the FOCAS IFU spectrograph on the Subaru Telescope. We investigate whether comparable properties, e.g., the Einstein radius can be obtained using only MaNGA data cubes. The result shows that the general properties of the lens system can be recovered but the Einstein radius is different from the result with FOCAS IFU data by less than 25%. The MaNGA data cubes are helpful for fast analysis of large samples and to study the statistical properties of gravitational lensing systems.

Multidimensional visualization of the dynamic evolution of Limetal via insitu/operando methods.

The growing demands for high-energy density electrical energy storage devices stimulate the coupling of conversion-type cathodes and lithium (Li) metal anodes. While promising, the use of these "Li-free" cathodes brings new challenges to the Li anode interface, as Li needs to be dissolved first during cell operation. In this study, we have achieved a direct visualization and comprehensive analysis of the dynamic evolution of the Li interface. The critical metrics of the interfacial resistance, Li growth, and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) distribution during the initial dissolution/deposition processes were systematically investigated by employing multidimensional analysis methods. They include three-electrode impedance tests,in situ atomic force microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and cryogenic scanning transmission electron microscopy. The high-resolution imaging and real-time observations show that a loose, diffuse, and unevenly distributed SEI is formed during the initial dissolution process. This leads to the dramatically fast growth of Li during the subsequent deposition, deviating from Fick's law, which exacerbates the interfacial impedance. The compactness of the interfacial structure and enrichment of electrolyte species at the surface during the initial deposition play critical roles in the long-term stability of Li anodes, as revealed by operando confocal Raman spectroscopic mapping. Our observations relate to ion transfer, morphological and structural evolution, and Li (de)solvation at Li interfaces, revealing the underlying pathways influenced by the initial dissolution process, which promotes a reconsideration of anode investigations and effective protection strategies.

Nature of the galaxies on top of quasars producing Mg ii absorption

ABSTRACT Quasar–galaxy pairs at small separations are important probes of gas flows in the disc–halo interface in galaxies. We study host galaxies of 198 Mg ii absorbers at 0.39 ≤ zabs ≤ 1.05 that show detectable nebular emission lines in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectra. We report measurements of impact parameter (5.9 ≤ D [kpc] ≤ 16.9) and absolute B-band magnitude (−18.7 ≤ MB ≤ −22.3 mag) of host galaxies of 74 of these absorbers using multiband images from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Survey, more than doubling the number of known host galaxies with D ≤ 17 kpc. This has allowed us to quantify the relationship between Mg ii rest equivalent width (W2796) and D, with best-fitting parameters of W2796 (D = 0) = 3.44 ± 0.20 Å and an exponential scale length of 21.6$^{+2.41}_{-1.97}\, \mathrm{ kpc}$. We find a significant anticorrelation between MB and D, and MB and W2796, consistent with the brighter galaxies producing stronger Mg ii absorption. We use stacked images to detect average emissions from galaxies in the full sample. Using these images and stacked spectra, we derive the mean stellar mass (9.4 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) ≤ 9.8), star formation rate (2.3 ≤ SFR [M⊙ yr−1] ≤ 4.5), age (2.5–4 Gyr), metallicity (12 + log(O/H) ∼ 8.3), and ionization parameter (log q [cm s−1] ∼ 7.7) for these galaxies. The average M* found is less than that of Mg ii absorbers studied in the literature. The average SFR and metallicity inferred are consistent with that expected in the main sequence and the known stellar mass–metallicity relation, respectively. High spatial resolution follow-up spectroscopic and imaging observations of this sample are imperative for probing gas flows close to the star-forming regions of high-z galaxies.

Contribution of Spicules to Solar Coronal Emission

Recent high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic observations have generated renewed interest in spicules’ role in explaining the hot corona. Some studies suggest that some spicules, often classified as type II, may provide significant mass and energy to the corona. Here we use numerical simulations to investigate whether such spicules can produce the observed coronal emission without any additional coronal heating agent. Model spicules consisting of a cold body and hot tip are injected into the base of a warm (0.5 MK) equilibrium loop with different tip temperatures and injection velocities. Both piston- and pressure-driven shocks are produced. We find that the hot tip cools rapidly and disappears from coronal emission lines such as Fe xii 195 and Fe xiv 274. Prolonged hot emission is produced by preexisting loop material heated by the shock and by thermal conduction from the shock. However, the shapes and Doppler shifts of synthetic line profiles show significant discrepancies with observations. Furthermore, spatially and temporally averaged intensities are extremely low, suggesting that if the observed intensities from the quiet Sun and active regions were solely due to type II spicules, one to several orders of magnitude more spicules would be required than have been reported in the literature. This conclusion applies strictly to the ejected spicular material. We make no claims about emissions connected with waves or coronal currents that may be generated during the ejection process and heat the surrounding area.

Adaptive optics and VLBA imaging observations of recoiling supermassive black hole candidates

ABSTRACT We present the results of high-resolution adaptive optics imaging observations of four kinematically identified recoiling supermassive black hole (rSMBH) candidates. Ellipse fitting was carried out to measure the spatial offset between the active galactic nucleus (AGN) and the centre of the host galaxy. Two rSMBH candidates (J1713 + 3523 and J2054 + 0049) are found to be offset AGN. However, the Very Long Baseline Array 1.5 GHz continuum imaging observation and spectral decomposition of the [O iii]5007 line suggest that J1713 + 3523 is a dual AGN and its spatial offset is not due to a recoil event. The spatial offset between the AGN and the centre of the host galaxy in J2054 + 0049 is 0.06 ± 0.01 arcsec (201 ± 22 pc). Spectral decomposition of J2054 + 0049 also suggests that it could be a dual AGN system and the measured spatial offset may not be due to a recoil event.

IBIS-A: The IBIS data Archive

Context. The IBIS data Archive (IBIS-A) stores data acquired with the Interferometric BIdimensional Spectropolarimeter (IBIS), which was operated at the Dunn Solar Telescope of the US National Solar Observatory from June 2003 to June 2019. The instrument provided series of high-resolution narrowband spectropolarimetric imaging observations of the photosphere and chromosphere in the range 5800–8600 Å and co-temporal broadband observations in the same spectral range and with the same field of view as for the polarimetric data. Aims. We present the data currently stored in IBIS-A, as well as the interface utilized to explore such data and facilitate its scientific exploitation. To this end, we also describe the use of IBIS-A data in recent and undergoing studies relevant to solar physics and space weather research. Methods. IBIS-A includes raw and calibrated observations, as well as science-ready data. The latter comprise maps of the circular, linear, and net circular polarization, and of the magnetic and velocity fields derived for a significant fraction of the series available in the archive. IBIS-A furthermore contains links to observations complementary to the IBIS data, such as co-temporal high-resolution observations of the solar atmosphere available from the instruments onboard the Hinode and IRIS satellites, and full-disk multi-band images from INAF solar telescopes. Results. IBIS-A currently consists of 30 TB of data taken with IBIS during 28 observing campaigns performed in 2008 and from 2012 to 2019 on 159 days. Of the observations, 29% are released as Level 1 data calibrated for instrumental response and compensated for residual seeing degradation, while 10% of the calibrated data are also available as Level 1.5 format as multi-dimensional arrays of circular, linear, and net circular polarization maps, and line-of-sight velocity patterns; 81% of the photospheric calibrated series present Level 2 data with the view of the magnetic and velocity fields of the targets, as derived from data inversion with the Very Fast Inversion of the Stokes Vector code. Metadata and movies of each calibrated and science-ready series are also available to help users evaluate observing conditions. Conclusions. IBIS-A represents a unique resource for investigating the plasma processes in the solar atmosphere and the solar origin of space weather events. The archive currently contains 454 different series of observations. A recently undertaken effort to preserve IBIS observations is expected to lead in the future to an increase in the raw measurements and the fraction of processed data available in IBIS-A.

Fast plasmoid-mediated reconnection in a solar flare

Magnetic reconnection is a multi-faceted process of energy conversion in astrophysical, space and laboratory plasmas that operates at microscopic scales but has macroscopic drivers and consequences. Solar flares present a key laboratory for its study, leaving imprints of the microscopic physics in radiation spectra and allowing the macroscopic evolution to be imaged, yet a full observational characterization remains elusive. Here we combine high resolution imaging and spectral observations of a confined solar flare at multiple wavelengths with data-constrained magnetohydrodynamic modeling to study the dynamics of the flare plasma from the current sheet to the plasmoid scale. The analysis suggests that the flare resulted from the interaction of a twisted magnetic flux rope surrounding a filament with nearby magnetic loops whose feet are anchored in chromospheric fibrils. Bright cusp-shaped structures represent the region around a reconnecting separator or quasi-separator (hyperbolic flux tube). The fast reconnection, which is relevant for other astrophysical environments, revealed plasmoids in the current sheet and separatrices and associated unresolved turbulent motions.

The long period of3He-rich solar energetic particles measured by Solar Orbiter 2020 November 17–23

We report observations of a relatively long period of3He-rich solar energetic particles (SEPs) measured by Solar Orbiter. The period consists of several well-resolved ion injections. The high-resolution STEREO-A imaging observations reveal that the injections coincide with extreme ultraviolet jets and brightenings near the east limb, not far from the nominal magnetic connection of Solar Orbiter. The jets originated in two adjacent, large, and complex active regions, as observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory when the regions rotated into the Earth’s view. It appears that the sustained ion injections were related to the complex configuration of the sunspot group and the long period of3He-rich SEPs to the longitudinal extent covered by the group during the analyzed time period.

SRG/eROSITA view of X-ray reflection in the Central Molecular Zone: a snapshot in September–October 2019

ABSTRACT X-ray reflection off dense molecular clouds in the Galactic Centre region has established itself as a powerful probe for the past activity record of the supermassive black hole Sgr A* on a time-scale of a few hundred years. Detailed studies of the reflection signal from individual clouds allow us to estimate parameters of the brightest flare(s) and explore properties of the dense gas distribution inside and around them. On the other hand, wide-area surveys covering the full Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) are crucial to spot the brightening of the new clouds and long-term decay of the flux from the once bright ones. Here, we present and discuss the data obtained by the SRG/eROSITA telescope in the course of its commissioning observations in late 2019 in regard to the X-ray reflection off CMZ clouds located to the East of Sgr A*. We measure the hard X-ray (4–8 keV) flux from the currently brightest (in reflected emission) molecular complex, Sgr A, and derive upper limits for other molecular complexes. We confirm that the Sgr A complex keeps being bright at the level of $4\times 10^{-13}\,{\rm erg\, s^{-1}\,cm^{-2}\,arcmin^{-2}}$, making it an excellent candidate for the deep forthcoming high-resolution imaging and polarimetric observations. We also discuss distinct features of the reflected emission from the clouds for which the primary illumination front has already passed away and the signal is dominated by multiply scattered radiation.

The Nature of High-frequency Oscillations Associated with Short-lived Spicule-type Events

Abstract We investigate high-resolution spectroscopic and imaging observations from the CRisp Imaging SpectroPolarimeter (CRISP) instrument to study the dynamics of chromospheric spicule-type events. It is widely accepted that chromospheric fine structures are waveguides for several types of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) oscillations, which can transport energy from the lower to upper layers of the Sun. We provide a statistical study of 30 high-frequency waves associated with spicule-type events. These high-frequency oscillations have two components of transverse motions: the plane-of-sky (POS) motion and the line-of-sight (LOS) motion. We focus on single isolated spicules and track the POS using time–distance analysis and in the LOS direction using Doppler information. We use moment analysis to find the relation between the two motions. The composition of these two motions suggests that the wave has a helical structure. The oscillations do not have phase differences between points along the structure. This may be the result of the oscillation being a standing mode, or that propagation is mostly in the perpendicular direction. There is evidence of fast magnetoacoustic wave fronts propagating across these structures. To conclude, we hypothesize that the compression and rarefaction of passing magnetoacoustic waves may influence the appearance of spicule-type events, not only by contributing to moving them in and out of the wing of the spectral line but also through the creation of density enhancements and an increase in opacity in the Hα line.

VLBI properties of compact interplanetary scintillators detected by the Murchison Widefield Array

Abstract Interplanetary scintillation (IPS) provides an approach for identifying the presence of sub-arcsec structures in radio sources, and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique can help verify whether the IPS sources have fine structures on milli-arcsec (mas) scales. We searched the available VLBI archive for the 244 IPS sources detected by the Murchison Widefield Array at 162 MHz and found 63 cross-matches. We analysed the VLBI data of the 63 sources and characterised the compactness index in terms of the ratio R of the VLBI-measured flux density at 4.3 GHz to the flux density estimated using the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) at 3 GHz and NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) at 1.4 GHz (SVLBI/SSA). Eleven sources are identified as blazars according to their flat spectra and strong variability. They show high compactness indices with R > 0.4, compact core-jet structure, and a broad distribution of normalised scintillation index (NSI). Other sources show diverse morphologies (compact core, core and one-sided jet, core and two-sided jets), but there is a correlation between R and NSI with a correlation coefficient r = 0.47. A similar R–NSI correlation is found in sources showing single steep power-law or convex spectra. After excluding blazars (which are already known to be compact sources) from the VLBI-detected IPS sources, a strong correlation is found between the compactness and scintillation index of the remaining samples, indicating that stronger scintillating sources are more compact. This pilot study shows that IPS offers a convenient method to identify compact radio sources without the need to invoke high-resolution imaging observations, which often require significant observational time.

KMT-2018-BLG-1743: planetary microlensing event occurring on two source stars

Aims. We present the analysis of the microlensing event KMT-2018-BLG-1743. The analysis was conducted as a part of the project, in which previous lensing events detected in and before the 2019 season by the KMTNet survey were reinvestigated with the aim of finding solutions of anomalous events with no suggested plausible models. Methods. The light curve of the event, with a peak magnification Apeak ~ 800, exhibits two anomaly features, one around the peak and the other on the falling side of the light curve. An interpretation with a binary lens and a single source (2L1S) cannot describe the anomalies. By conducting additional modeling that includes an extra lens (3L1S) or an extra source (2L2S) relative to a 2L1S interpretation, we find that 2L2S interpretations with a planetary lens system and a binary source best explain the observed light curve with Δχ2 ~ 188 and ~91 over the 2L1S and 3L1S solutions, respectively. Assuming that these Δχ2 values are adequate for distinguishing the models, the event is the fourth 2L2S event and the second 2L2S planetary event. The 2L2S interpretations are subject to a degeneracy, resulting in two solutions with s > 1.0 (wide solution) and s < 1.0 (close solution). Results. The masses of the lens components and the distance to the lens are (Mhost/M⊙,Mplanet/MJ,DL/kpc)~(0.19−0.111+0.27,0.25−0.14+0.34,6.48−1.03+0.94) and ~(0.42−0.25+0.34,1.61−0.97+1.30,6.04−1.27+0.93) according to the wide and close solutions, respectively. The source is a binary composed of an early G dwarf and a mid M dwarf. The values of the relative lens-source proper motion expected from the two degenerate solutions, μwide ~ 2.3 mas yr−1 and μclose ~ 4.1 mas yr−1, are substantially different, and thus the degeneracy can be broken by resolving the lens and source from future high-resolution imaging observations.

OGLE-2018-BLG-1185b: A Low-mass Microlensing Planet Orbiting a Low-mass Dwarf

Abstract We report an analysis of the planetary microlensing event OGLE-2018-BLG-1185, which was observed by a large number of ground-based telescopes and by the Spitzer Space Telescope. The ground-based light curve indicates a low planet–host star mass ratio of q = (6.9 ± 0.2) × 10−5, which is near the peak of the wide-orbit exoplanet mass-ratio distribution. We estimate the host star and planet masses with a Bayesian analysis using the measured angular Einstein radius under the assumption that stars of all masses have an equal probability of hosting the planet. The flux variation observed by Spitzer is marginal, but still places a constraint on the microlens parallax. Imposing a conservative constraint that this flux variation should be Δf Spz < 4 instrumental flux units yields a host mass of M host = 0.37 − 0.21 + 0.35 M ⊙ and a planet mass of m p = 8.4 − 4.7 + 7.9 M ⊕ . A Bayesian analysis including the full parallax constraint from Spitzer suggests smaller host star and planet masses of M host = 0.091 − 0.018 + 0.064 M ⊙ and m p = 2.1 − 0.4 + 1.5 M ⊕ , respectively. Future high-resolution imaging observations with the Hubble Space Telescope or Extremely Large Telescope could distinguish between these two scenarios and help reveal the planetary system properties in more detail.

Compressive Oscillations in Hot Coronal Loops: Are Sloshing Oscillations and Standing Slow Waves Independent?

Abstract Employing high-resolution EUV imaging observations from SDO/AIA, we analyze a compressive plasma oscillation in a hot coronal loop triggered by a C-class flare near one of its footpoints, as first studied by Kumar et al. We investigate the oscillation properties in both the 131 Å and 94 Å channels and find that what appears as a pure sloshing oscillation in the 131 Å channel actually transforms into a standing wave in the 94 Å channel at a later time. This is the first clear evidence of such transformation and confirms the results of a recent numerical study that suggests that these two oscillations are not independent phenomena. We introduce a new analytical expression to properly fit the sloshing phase of an oscillation and extract the oscillation properties. For the AIA 131 Å channel, the obtained oscillation period and damping time are 608 ± 4 s and 431 ± 20 s, respectively, during the sloshing phase. The corresponding values for the AIA 94 Å channel are 617 ± 3 s and 828 ± 50 s. During the standing phase that is observed only in the AIA 94 Å channel, the oscillation period and damping time have increased to 791 ± 5 s and 1598 ± 138 s, respectively. The plasma temperature obtained from the differential emission measure analysis indicates substantial cooling of the plasma during the oscillation. Considering this, we show that the observed oscillation properties and the associated changes are compatible with damping due to thermal conduction. We further demonstrate that the absence of a standing phase in the 131 Å channel is a consequence of cooling plasma besides the faster decay of oscillation in this channel.

Speckle Observations of TESS Exoplanet Host Stars: Understanding the Binary Exoplanet Host Star Orbital Period Distribution

Abstract We present high-resolution speckle interferometric imaging observations of TESS exoplanet host stars using the NN-EXPLORE Exoplanet and Stellar Speckle Imager instrument at the 3.5 m WIYN telescope. Eight TESS objects of interest that were originally discovered by Kepler were previously observed using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument. Speckle observations of 186 TESS stars were carried out, and 45 (24%) likely bound companions were detected. This is approximately the number of companions we would expect to observe given the established 46% binarity rate in exoplanet host stars. For the detected binaries, the distribution of stellar mass ratio is consistent with that of the standard Raghavan distribution and may show a decrease in high-q systems as the binary separation increases. The distribution of binary orbital periods, however, is not consistent with the standard Ragahavan model, and our observations support the premise that exoplanet-hosting stars with binary companions have, in general, wider orbital separations than field binaries. We find that exoplanet-hosting binary star systems show a distribution peaking near 100 au, higher than the 40–50 au peak that is observed for field binaries. This fact led to earlier suggestions that planet formation is suppressed in close binaries.