Infrared Telescope Facility Research Articles

THE GROUND-BASEDH-,K-, ANDL-BAND ABSOLUTE EMISSION SPECTRA OF HD 209458b

Here we explore the capabilities of NASA's 3.0 meter Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) and SpeX spectrometer and the 5.08 meter Hale telescope with the TripleSpec spectrometer with near-infrared H, K, and L-band measurements of HD 209458b's secondary eclipse. Our IRTF/SpeX data are the first absolute L-band spectroscopic emission measurements of any exoplanet other than the hot Jupiter HD 189733b. Previous measurements of HD 189733b's L-band indicate bright emission hypothesized to result from non-LTE CH$_{4}$ $\nu_{3}$ fluorescence. We do not detect a similar bright 3.3 $\mu$m feature to ~3$\sigma$, suggesting that fluorescence does not need to be invoked to explain HD 209458b's L-band measurements. The validity of our observation and reduction techniques, which decrease the flux variance by up to 2.8 orders of magnitude, is reinforced by 1$\sigma$ agreement with existent $Hubble$/NICMOS and $Spitzer$/IRAC1 observations which overlap the H, K, and L-bands, suggesting that both IRTF/SpeX and Palomar/TripleSpec can measure an exoplanet's emission with high precision.

THE INNER COMA OF COMET C/2012 S1 (ISON) AT 0.53 AU AND 0.35 AU FROM THE SUN

Using long-slit spectroscopy at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, we extracted H{sub 2}O production rates and spatial profiles of gas rotational temperature and molecular column abundance in comet C/2012 S1 ISON, observed at heliocentric distances of 0.53 and 0.35 AU. These measurements uniquely probed the physical environment in the inner collisional coma of this comet during its first (and last) approach to the Sun since being emplaced in the Oort Cloud some 4.5 billion years ago. Our observations revealed a comet evolving on various timescales, both over hours and days. At 0.35 AU, ISON showed a considerable decrease in water production rate in less than 2 hr, likely declining from a major outburst. Our measured temperature spatial distributions reflect the competition between the processes that cause heating and cooling in the coma, and also provide insight about the prevalent mechanism(s) of releasing gas-phase H{sub 2}O. The observed temperatures suggest that the comet was likely ejecting icy material continuously, which sublimated in the coma and heated the ambient gas, augmenting fast H-atoms produced by H{sub 2}O photolysis. ISON adds to the very limited sample of comets for which spatial-spectral studies of water temperatures have been conducted. These studies are now feasible and can bemore » extended to comets having a variety of gas production rates. Continued synergy of such observations with both space missions like Rosetta and with physical models is strongly encouraged in order to gain a deeper understanding of the processes in the inner collisional zone of the cometary coma.« less

Composition, mineralogy, and porosity of multiple asteroid systems from visible and near-infrared spectral data

We aim to provide a taxonomic and compositional characterization of Multiple Asteroid Systems (MASs) located in the main belt (MB) using visible (0.45–0.85μm) and near-infrared (0.7–2.5μm) spectral data of 42MB MASs. The compositional and mineralogical analysis is applied to determine meteorite analogs for the MASs, which, in turn, are applied to the MAS density measurements of Marchis et al. (Marchis et al. [2012]. Icarus 221, 1130–1161) to estimate the porosity of the systems. The macroporosities are used to evaluate the primary MAS formation hypotheses. Our spectral survey consists of visible and near-infrared spectral data. The visible observing campaign includes 25MASs obtained using the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope with the Goodman High Throughput Spectrometer. The infrared observing campaign includes 34MASs obtained using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) with the SpeX spectragraph. For completeness, both visible and NIR data sets are supplemented with publicly available data, and the data sets are combined where possible. The MASs are classified using the Bus-DeMeo taxonomic system. In order to determine mineralogy and meteorite analog, we perform a NIR spectral band parameter analysis using a new analysis routine, the Spectral Analysis Routine for Asteroids (SARA). The SARA routine determines band centers, areas, and depths by utilizing the diagnostic absorption features near 1- and 2-μm due to Fe2+ crystal field transitions in olivine+pyroxene and pyroxene, respectively. The band parameter analysis provides the Gaffey subtype for the S-complex MASs; the relative abundance olivine-to-pyroxene ratio; and olivine and pyroxene modal abundances for S-complex and V-type MASs. This mineralogical information is then applied to determine meteorite analogs. Through applying calibration studies, we are able to determine the H, L, and LL meteorite analogs for 15MASs with ordinary chondrite-like (OC) mineralogies. We observe an excess (10/15) of LL-like mineralogies. Of the ten MASs with LL-like mineralogies, seven are consistent with Flora family membership, supporting the hypothesis that the Flora family is a source of LL-like NEAs and LL chondrites on Earth. Our band parameter analysis is unable to clearly distinguish between the HED subgroups for the 6 V-type MASs. Using the measured densities of the meteorite analog and the MAS densities from Marchis et al. (Marchis et al. [2012]. Icarus 221, 1130–1161), we estimate the macroporosity for 13MASs. We find that all of the MASs with estimated macroporosities are in agreement with formation hypotheses.

More chips off of Asteroid (4) Vesta: Characterization of eight Vestoids and their HED meteorite analogs

Vestoids are generally considered to be fragments from Asteroid (4) Vesta that were ejected by past collisions that document Vesta’s collisional history. Dynamical Vestoids are defined by their spatial proximity with Vesta (Zappala, V., Bendjoya, Ph., Cellino, A., Farinella, P., Froeschle’, C. [1995]. Icarus 116, 291–314; Nesvorny, D. [2012]. Nesvorny HCM Asteroid Families V2.0. EAR-A-VARGBDET-5-NESVORNYFAM-V2.0. NASA Planetary Data System.). Taxonomic Vestoids are defined as V-type asteroids that have a photometric, visible-wavelength spectral, or other observational relationship with Vesta (Tholen, D.J., 1984. Asteroid Taxonomy from Cluster Analysis of Photometry. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Arizona, Tucson; Bus, S.J., Binzel, R.P. [2002]. Icarus 158, 106–145; Carvano, J., Hasselmann, P.H., Lazzaro, D., Mothe’-Diniz, T. [2010]. Astron. Astrophys. 510, A43). We define ‘genetic Vestoids’ as V-type asteroids that are probable fragments ejected from (4) Vesta based on the supporting combination of dynamical, near-infrared (NIR) spectral, and taxonomic evidence. NIR reflectance spectroscopy is one of the primary ground-based techniques to constrain an asteroid’s major surface mineralogy (Burns, R.G. [1993a]. Mineralogical Applications of Crystal Field Theory. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 551 p). Despite the reasonable likelihood that many dynamical and taxonomic Vestoids likely originate from Vesta, ambiguity exists concerning the fraction of these populations that are from Vesta as compared to the fraction of asteroids that might not be related to Vesta.Currently, one of the most robust techniques to identify the genetic Vestoid population is through NIR reflectance spectroscopy from ∼0.7 to 2.5μm. The derivation of spectral band parameters, and the comparison of those band parameters with those from representative samples from the Howardite–Eucrite–Diogenite (HED) meteorite types, allows a direct comparison of their primary mineralogies. Establishing tighter constraints on the genetic Vestoid population will better inform mass estimates for the current population of probable Vestoids, will provide more accurate orbital information of Vestoid migration through time that will assist dynamical models, and will constrain the overall current abundance of basaltic material in the main asteroid belt (Moskovitz, N.A., Jedicke, R., Gaidos, E., Willman, M., Nesvorny, D., Fevig, R. [2008]. Icarus 198, 77–90).This work reports high-quality NIR spectra, and their respective interpretations, for eight Vp-type asteroids, as defined by Carvano et al. (Carvano, J., Hasselmann, P.H., Lazzaro, D., Mothe’-Diniz, T. [2010]. Astron. Astrophys. 510, A43), that were observed at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility on January 14, 2013 UT. They include: (3867) Shiretoko, (5235) Jean-Loup, (5560) Amytis, (6331) 1992 FZ1, (6976) Kanatsu, (17469) 1991 BT, (29796) 1999 CW77, and (30872) 1992 EM17. All eight asteroids exhibit the broad ∼0.9- and ∼1.9-μm mineral absorption features indicative of pyroxene on each asteroid’s surface. Data reduction and analysis via multiple techniques produced consistent results for the derived spectral absorption band centers and average pyroxene surface chemistries for all eight asteroids (Reddy, V., Sanchez, J.A., Nathues, A., Moskovitz, N.A., Li, J.-Y, Cloutis, E.A., Archer, K., Tucker, R.A., Gaffey, M.J., Mann, P.J., Sierks, H., Schade, U. [2012c]. Icarus 217, 153–168; Lindsay, S.S., Emery, J.P., Marchis, F., Enriquez, J., Assafin, M. [2013]. A spectroscopic and mineralogic study of multiple asteroid systems. American Astronomical Society, DPS Meeting #45, #112.04; Lindsay, S.S., Marchis, F., Emery, J.P., Enriquez, J.E., Assafin, M. [2014]. Icarus, submitted for publication; Gaffey, M.J., Cloutis, E.A., Kelley, M.K., Reed, K.L. [2002]. Mineralogy of asteroids. In: Bottke Jr., W.F., Cellino, A., Paolicchi, P., Binzel, R.P. (Eds.), Asteroids III. The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 183–204; Burbine, T.H., Buchanan, P.C., Dolkar, T., Binzel, R.P. [2009]. Met. Planet. Sci. 44, 1331–1341.). (3867) Shiretoko is most consistent with the eucrite meteorites while the remaining seven asteroids are most consistent with the howardite meteorites. The existing evidence suggests that all eight of these Vp-type asteroids are genetic Vestoids that probably originated from Vesta’s surface.

Probing the circumnuclear stellar populations of starburst galaxies in the near-infrared

We employ the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility's near-infrared spectrograph SpeX at 0.8-2.4$\mu$m to investigate the spatial distribution of the stellar populations (SPs) in four well known Starburst galaxies: NGC34, NGC1614, NGC3310 and NGC7714. We use the STARLIGHT code updated with the synthetic simple stellar populations models computed by Maraston (2005, M05). Our main results are that the NIR light in the nuclear surroundings of the galaxies is dominated by young/intermediate age SPs ($t \leq 2\times10^9$yr), summing from $\sim$40\% up to 100\% of the light contribution. In the nuclear aperture of two sources (NGC1614 and NGC3310) we detected a predominant old SP component ($t > 2\times10^9$yr), while for NGC34 and NGC7714 the younger component prevails. Furthermore, we found evidence of a circumnuclear star formation ring-like structure and a secondary nucleus in NGC1614, in agreement with previous studies. We also suggest that the merger/interaction experienced by three of the galaxies studied, NGC1614, NGC3310 and NGC7714 can explain the lower metallicity values derived for the young SP component of these sources. In this scenario the fresh unprocessed metal poorer gas from the destroyed/interacting companion galaxy is driven to the centre of the galaxies and mixed with the central region gas, before star formation takes place. In order to deepen our analysis, we performed the same procedure of SP synthesis using Maraston (2011, M11) EPS models. Our results show that the newer and higher resolution M11 models tend to enhance the old/intermediate age SP contribution over the younger ages.

Observations of a successive stellar occultation by Charon and graze by Pluto in 2011: Multiwavelength SpeX and MORIS data from the IRTF

Pluto’s lower atmosphere has been observed to evolve since the first definitive occultation detection in 1988. Possibilities for explaining the lower atmospheric structure include a steep thermal gradient and/or extinction, the latter of which can be characterized as a dependence between occultation flux and wavelength. On 2011 June 23, a 14.43 UCAC magnitude star (R=13.64) was occulted by Pluto as observed from multiple sites. Observations made at NASA’s 3-m Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea, Hawai’i, showed a full occultation of the star by Charon followed by an atmospheric graze by Pluto. Data were taken simultaneously in visible-wavelength images and low-resolution, near-infrared spectra. This dataset is unique in that (i) the double occultation allows astrometric measurements for Pluto and Charon as well as accurate calibration of the Pluto light curve, and (ii) the wavelength-resolved data serve as a test for atmospheric extinction. The graze reached a minimum normalized flux level of roughly 0.35, serving primarily as a probe of Pluto’s upper atmosphere (which is typically defined to be above half-light level in occultation light curves). However, the light curve is well fit by atmospheric models with a power-law thermal gradient, a clear upper atmosphere, and haze in the lower atmosphere. We find a negative dependence between flux and wavelength in the deepest part of Pluto’s atmosphere probed by the graze and in a spike during emersion. A simple extinction model for spherical, μm-sized tholins matches the observed spectral trends. While the atmospheric fits cannot rule out a clear atmosphere having a steep thermal gradient at the bottom, the flux-wavelength dependence and the feasibility of our particle-scattering fits suggest that Pluto’s lower atmosphere contained haze in 2011. These results provide an important link in monitoring Pluto’s dynamic atmosphere.

Spectroscopically confirmed brown dwarf members of Coma Berenices and the Hyades

We have obtained low- and medium-resolution spectra of nine brown dwarf candidate members of Coma Berenices and the Hyades using SpEX on the NASA InfraRed Telescope Facility and Long Slit Intermediate Resolution Infrared Spectrograph on the William Herschel Telescope. We conclude that seven of these objects are indeed late M or early L dwarfs, and that two are likely members of Coma Berenices and four of the Hyades. Two objects, cbd40 and Hy3, are suggested to be field L dwarfs, although there is also a possibility that Hy3 is an unresolved binary belonging to the cluster. These objects have masses between 71 and 53MJup, close to the hydrogen-burning boundary for these clusters; however, only an optical detection of lithium can confirm if they are truly substellar.

The origin of nitrogen on Jupiter and Saturn from the [formula omitted]N/[formula omitted]N ratio

The Texas Echelon cross Echelle Spectrograph (TEXES), mounted on NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF), was used to map mid-infrared ammonia absorption features on both Jupiter and Saturn in February 2013. Ammonia is the principle reservoir of nitrogen on the giant planets, and the ratio of isotopologues (15N/14N) can reveal insights into the molecular carrier (e.g., as N2 or NH3) of nitrogen to the forming protoplanets, and hence the source reservoirs from which these worlds accreted. We targeted two spectral intervals (900 and 960cm−1) that were relatively clear of terrestrial atmospheric contamination and contained close features of 14NH3 and 15NH3, allowing us to derive the ratio from a single spectrum without ambiguity due to radiometric calibration (the primary source of uncertainty in this study). We present the first ground-based determination of Jupiter’s 15N/14N ratio (in the range from 1.4×10-3 to 2.5×10-3), which is consistent with both previous space-based studies and with the primordial value of the protosolar nebula. On Saturn, we present the first upper limit on the 15N/14N ratio of no larger than 2.0×10-3 for the 900-cm−1 channel and a less stringent requirement that the ratio be no larger than 2.8×10-3 for the 960-cm−1 channel (1σ confidence). Specifically, the data rule out strong 15N-enrichments such as those observed in Titan’s atmosphere and in cometary nitrogen compounds. To the extent possible with ground-based radiometric uncertainties, the saturnian and jovian 15N/14N ratios appear indistinguishable, implying that 15N-enriched ammonia ices could not have been a substantial contributor to the bulk nitrogen inventory of either planet. This result favours accretion of primordial N2 on both planets, either in the gas phase from the solar nebula, or as ices formed at very low temperatures. Finally, spatially-resolved TEXES observations are used to derive zonal contrasts in tropospheric temperatures, phosphine and 14NH3 on both planets, allowing us to relate thermal conditions and chemical compositions to phenomena observed at visible wavelengths in 2013 (e.g., Jupiter’s faint equatorial red colouration event and wave activity in the equatorial belts, plus the remnant warm band on Saturn following the 2010–11 springtime storm).

THREE NEW COOL BROWN DWARFS DISCOVERED WITH THEWIDE-FIELD INFRARED SURVEY EXPLORER(WISE) AND AN IMPROVED SPECTRUM OF THE Y0 DWARF WISE J041022.71+150248.4

As part of a larger search of Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) data for cool brown dwarfs with effective temperatures less than 1000 K, we present the discovery of three new cool brown dwarfs with spectral types later than T7. Using low-resolution, near-infrared spectra obtained with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and the Hubble Space Telescope we derive spectral types of T9.5 for WISE J094305.98+360723.5, T8 for WISE J200050.19+362950.1, and Y0: for WISE J220905.73+271143.9. The identification of WISE J220905.73+271143.9 as a Y dwarf brings the total number of spectroscopically confirmed Y dwarfs to seventeen. In addition, we present an improved spectrum (i.e. higher signal-to-noise ratio) of the Y0 dwarf WISE J041022.71+150248.4 that confirms the Cushing et al. classification of Y0. Spectrophotometric distance estimates place all three new brown dwarfs at distances less than 12 pc, with WISE J200050.19+362950.1 lying at a distance of only 3.9-8.0 pc. Finally, we note that brown dwarfs like WISE J200050.19+362950.1 that lie in or near the Galactic plane offer an exciting opportunity to measure their mass via astrometric microlensing.

0.94-2.42 μm GROUND-BASED TRANSMISSION SPECTRA OF THE HOT JUPITER HD-189733b

We present here new transmission spectra of the hot Jupiter HD-189733b using the SpeX instrument on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility. We obtained two nights of observations where we recorded the primary transit of the planet in the J, H, and K bands simultaneously, covering a spectral range from 0.94 to 2.42 μm. We used Fourier analysis and other detrending techniques validated previously on other data sets to clean the data. We tested the statistical significance of our results by calculating the autocorrelation function, and we found that, after the detrending, autocorrelative noise is diminished at most frequencies. Additionally, we repeated our analysis on the out-of-transit data only, showing that the residual telluric contamination is well within the error bars. While these techniques are very efficient when multiple nights of observations are combined together, our results prove that even one good night of observations is enough to provide statistically meaningful data. Our observed spectra are consistent with space-based data recorded in the same wavelength interval by multiple instruments, indicating that ground-based facilities are becoming a viable and complementary option to spaceborne observatories. The best fit to the features in our data was obtained with water vapor. Our error bars aremore » not small enough to address the presence of additional molecules; however, by combining the information contained in other data sets with our results, it is possible to explain all the available observations with a modeled atmospheric spectrum containing water vapor, methane, carbon monoxide, and hazes/clouds.« less

A 0.8-2.4 μm TRANSMISSION SPECTRUM OF THE HOT JUPITER CoRoT-1b

Hot Jupiters with brightness temperatures > ~2000K can have TiO and VO molecules as gaseous species in their atmospheres. The TiO and VO molecules can potentially induce temperature inversions in hot Jupiter atmospheres and also have an observable signature of large optical to infrared transit depth ratios. Previous transmission spectra of very hot Jupiters have shown a lack of TiO and VO, but only in planets that also appear to lack temperature inversions. We measure the transmission spectrum of CoRoT-1b, a hot Jupiter that was predicted to have a temperature inversion potentially due to significant TiO and VO in its atmosphere. We employ the multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) method using the SpeX and MORIS instruments on the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) and the Gaussian Process method to model red noise. By using a simultaneous reference star on the slit for calibration and a wide slit to minimize slit losses, we achieve transit depth precision of 0.03% to 0.09%, comparable to the atmospheric scale height but detect no statistically significant molecular features. We combine our IRTF data with optical CoRoT transmission measurements to search for differences in the optical and near infrared absorption that would arise from TiO/VO. Our IRTF spectrum and the CoRoT photometry disfavor a TiO/VO-rich spectrum for CoRoT-1b, suggesting that the atmosphere has another absorber that could create a temperature inversion or that the blackbody-like emission from the planet is due to a spectroscopically flat cloud, dust or haze layer that smoothes out molecular features in both CoRoT-1b's emission and transmission spectra. This system represents the faintest planet hosting star (K=12.2) with a measured planetary transmission spectrum.

Surface composition of near-Earth Asteroid (4953) 1990 MU: Possible fragment of (6) Hebe

Near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) are interesting as both a threat to the Earth and as the immediate parent bodies of most meteorites. We observed NEA (4953) 1990 MU using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) and University of Hawaii (U.H.) telescopes on Mauna Kea to constrain its surface composition and origin. The surface composition of 1990 MU is similar to ordinary chondrites (H chondrites). The calculated olivine and pyroxene chemistry of 1990 MU (Fa13.5±1.3 and Fs12.7±1.4) are consistent with the olivine and pyroxene chemistry ranges for H chondrites (Fa15–21 and Fs13–19) (Dunn, T.L., McCoy, T.J., Sunshine, J.M., McSween, H.Y. [2010]. Icarus 208, 789–797), although the estimated Fa value is at the lower end of the H chondrite range. The olivine abundance ratio of 1990 MU (0.57±0.03) is slightly higher but not inconsistent with H chondrites (0.47–0.55±0.03). The radar circular polarization ratio (same circular polarization state or SC/opposite circular polarization state or OC) (Benner, L.A.M., Ostro, S.J., Magri, C., Nolan, M.C., Howell, E.S., Giorgini, J.D., Jurgens, R.F., Margot, J.L., Taylor, P.A., Busch, M.W., Shepard, M.K. [2008]. Icarus, 198, 294–304) of 1990 MU is 0.36±0.03, which is higher than the mean SC/OC ratio for S-type NEAs (0.270±0.079). The 1990 MU SC/OC is also higher than those of (25143) Itokawa (0.27±0.04), (4179) Toutatis (0.29±0.01) and (433) Eros (0.28±0.06) suggesting a rougher surface at decimeter scale (Benner, L.A.M., Ostro, S.J., Magri, C., Nolan, M.C., Howell, E.S., Giorgini, J.D., Jurgens, R.F., Margot, J.L., Taylor, P.A., Busch, M.W., Shepard, M.K. [2008]. Icarus, 198, 294–304). We constrained the diameter of 1990 MU (4.4km) using the average albedo at 0.55μm of H chondrites (0.21) and absolute magnitude (H) of 14.1 (Flower, J.W., Chillemi J.R. [1992]. IRAS Asteroid Data Processing: The IRAS Minor Planet Survey, Philips Laboratory Technical Report PL-TR-92-2049. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, pp. 17–43). This diameter is higher than the 2.8km value from Harris et al. (Harris, A.W. et al. [2011]. Astron. J. 141, 10) using an albedo of 0.52 for 1990 MU. This albedo value is unusually high for H chondrites, which have an albedo range of 0.12–0.30. We compared olivine and pyroxene chemistries of 1990 MU with main belt Asteroid (6) Hebe, probable parent body of H chondrite meteorites and IIE irons (Gaffey, M.J., Gilbert, S.L. [1998]. Meteor. Planet. Sci. 33, 1281–1295), and found that 1990 MU has more high-calcium pyroxene than Hebe. Fayalite and ferrosilite values of the two asteroids are consistent with H chondrites but do not overlap each other. The differences could be due to compositional variations observed on Hebe by Gaffey and Gilbert (Gaffey, M.J., Gilbert, S.L. [1998]. Meteor. Planet. Sci. 33, 1281–1295), although the observed rotational variation in spectral parameters does not match well with those of 1990 MU.

THE CLOSEST M-DWARF QUADRUPLE SYSTEM TO THE SUN

We report new infrared radial velocity measurements obtained with CSHELL at NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility that reveal the M3.5 dwarf GJ 867B to be a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 1.795 $\pm$ 0.017 days. Its velocity semi-amplitude of 21.4 $\pm$ 0.5 km s$^{-1}$ corresponds to a minimum mass of 61 $\pm$ 7 M$_{JUP}$; the new companion, which we call GJ 867D, could be a brown dwarf. Stable astrometric measurements of GJ 867BD obtained with CTIO's 0.9-m telescope over the last decade exclude the presence of any massive planetary companions (7-18 M$_{JUP}$) with longer orbital periods (2-10 years) for the majority of orientations. These complementary observations are also used to determine the trigonometric distance and proper motion of GJ 867BD; the measurements are consistent with the HIPPARCOS measured values of the M2 dwarf GJ 867AC, which is itself a 4.1 day double-lined spectroscopic binary at a projected separation of 24.5" (216 AU) from GJ 867BD. These new measurements strengthen the case that GJ 867AC and GJ 867BD are physically associated, making the GJ 867 system one of only four quadruple systems within 10 pc of the Sun (d$=$ 8.82 $\pm$0.08 pc) and the only among these with all M-dwarf (or cooler) components.

The first month of evolution of the slow-rising Type IIP SN 2013ej in M74

Abstract We present early photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2013ej, a bright Type IIP supernova (SN) in M74. SN 2013ej is one of the closest SNe ever discovered. The available archive images and the early discovery help to constrain the nature of its progenitor. The earliest detection of this explosion was on 2013 July 24.125 ut and our spectroscopic monitoring with the FLOYDS spectrographs began on July 27.7 ut, continuing almost daily for two weeks. Daily optical photometric monitoring was achieved with the 1 m telescopes of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) network, and was complemented by UV data from Swift and near-infrared spectra from Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects and Infrared Telescope Facility. The data from our monitoring campaign show that SN 2013ej experienced a 10 d rise before entering into a well-defined plateau phase. This unusually long rise time for a Type IIP has been seen previously in SN 2006bp and SN 2009bw. A relatively rare strong absorption blueward of Hα is present since our earliest spectrum. We identify this feature as Si ii, rather than high-velocity Hα as sometimes reported in the literature.

HDO and SO2thermal mapping on Venus

Sulfur dioxide and water vapor, two key species of Venus photochemistry, are known to exhibit significant spatial and temporal variations above the cloud top. In particular, ground-based thermal imaging spectroscopy at high spectral resolution, achieved on Venus in January 2012, has shown evidence for strong SO2 variations on timescales shorter than a day. We have continued our observing campaign using the TEXES high-resolution imaging spectrometer at the NASA InfraRed Telescope Facility to map sulfur dioxide over the disk of Venus at two different wavelengths, 7 μm (already used in the previous study) and 19 μm. The 7 μm radiation probes the top of the H2SO4 cloud, while the 19 μm radiation probes a few kilometers below within the cloud. Observations took place on October 4 and 5, 2012. Both HDO and SO2 lines are identified in our 7-μm spectra and SO2 is also easily identified at 19 μm. The CO2 lines at 7 and 19 μm are used to infer the thermal structure. An isothermal/inversion layer is present at high latitudes (above 60 N and S) in the polar collars, which was not detected in October 2012. The enhancement of the polar collar in October 2012 is probably due to the fact that the morning terminator is observed, while the January data probed the evening terminator. As observed in our previous run, the HDO map is relatively uniform over the disk of Venus, with a mean mixing ratio of about 1 ppm. In contrast, the SO2 maps at 19 μm show intensity variations by a factor of about 2 over the disk within the cloud, less patchy than observed at the cloud top at 7 μm. In addition, the SO2 maps seem to indicate significant temporal changes within an hour. There is evidence for a cutoff in the SO2 vertical distribution above the cloud top, also previously observed by SPICAV/SOIR aboard Venus Express and predicted by photochemical models.

Spectroscopy and surface properties of (809) Lundia

Telescopic observation of binary system of (809) Lundia in the in the 0.8–2.5µm spectral range is presented in order to determine its physical and mineralogical parameters. Observations covering several oppositions were performed using NASA telescope Infrared Telescope Facility and SpeX spectrograph. One of these spectra was observed during a mutual event (an occultation between components). A detailed analysis of spectra was performed using M4AST tools. (809) Lundia complex is a V-type object having similar mineralogy on both components of the system. By applying different mineralogical models a composition similar to the one of howardite–diogenite meteorites was found. The comparison of composite visible and near-infrared spectra with meteorites from Relab data base confirms this solution. From this comparison a surface covered by fine dusty regolith with grain size less than 100µm was found. Orthopyroxene is the most abundant pyroxene of the regolith. Howarditic and diogenitic minerals seem to be the most abundant on the surface of (809) Lundia. The discrepancy between howardite–eucrite–diogenite meteorite bulk density and the one computed for the binary system suggests a rubble pile structure of both components.

PHOBOS AS A D-TYPE CAPTURED ASTEROID, SPECTRAL MODELING FROM 0.25 TO 4.0 μm

This paper describes the spectral modeling of the surface of Phobos in the wavelength range between 0.25 and 4.0 μm. We use complementary data to cover this spectral range: the OSIRIS (Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System on board the ESA Rosetta spacecraft) reflectance spectrum that Pajola et al. merged with the VSK-KRFM-ISM (Videospectrometric Camera (VSK)-Combined Radiometer and Photometer for Mars (KRFM)-Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (ISM) on board the USSR Phobos 2 spacecraft) spectra by Murchie & Erard and the IRTF (NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, Hawaii, USA) spectra published by Rivkin et al. The OSIRIS data allow the characterization of an area of Phobos covering from 868 N to 90° S in latitude and from 126° W to 286° W in longitude. This corresponds chiefly to the trailing hemisphere, but with a small sampling of the leading hemisphere as well. We compared the OSIRIS results with the Trojan D-type asteroid 624 Hektor and show that the overall slope and curvature of the two bodies over the common wavelength range are very similar. This favors Phobos being a captured D-type asteroid as previously suggested. We modeled the OSIRIS data using two models, the first one with a composition that includes organic carbonaceous material, serpentine, olivine, and basalt glass, and the second one consisting of Tagish Lake meteorite and magnesium-rich pyroxene glass. The results of these models were extended to longer wavelengths to compare the VSK-KRFM-ISM and IRTF data. The overall shape of the second model spectrum between 0.25 and 4.0 μm shows curvature and an albedo level that match both the OSIRIS and Murchie & Erard data and the Rivkin et al. data much better than the first model. The large interval fit is encouraging and adds weight to this model, making it our most promising fit for Phobos. Since Tagish Lake is commonly used as a spectral analog for D-type asteroids, this provides additional support for compositional similarities between Phobos and D-type asteroids.

Olivine-dominated asteroids: Mineralogy and origin

Olivine-dominated asteroids are a rare type of objects formed either in nebular processes or through magmatic differentiation. The analysis of meteorite samples suggest that at least 100 parent bodies in the main belt experienced partial or complete melting and differentiation before being disrupted. However, only a few olivine-dominated asteroids, representative of the mantle of disrupted differentiated bodies, are known to exist. Due to the paucity of these objects in the main belt their origin and evolution have been a matter of great debate over the years. In this work we present a detailed mineralogical analysis of twelve olivine-dominated asteroids. We have obtained near-infrared (NIR) spectra (0.7–2.4μm) of asteroids (246) Asporina, (289) Nenetta, (446) Aeternitas, (863) Benkoela, (4125) Lew Allen and (4490) Bamberry. Observations were conducted with the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea, Hawai’i. This sample was complemented with spectra of six other olivine-dominated asteroids including (354) Eleonora, (984) Gretia, (1951) Lick, (2501) Lohja, (3819) Robinson and (5261) Eureka obtained by previous workers. Within our sample we distinguish two classes, one that we call monomineralic-olivine asteroids, which are those whose spectra only exhibit the 1μm feature, and another referred to as olivine-rich asteroids, whose spectra exhibit the 1μm feature and a weak (Band II depth ∼4%) 2μm feature. For the monomineralic-olivine asteroids the olivine chemistry was found to range from ∼Fo49 to Fo70, consistent with the values measured for brachinites and R chondrites. In the case of the olivine-rich asteroids we determined their olivine and low-Ca pyroxene abundance using a new set of spectral calibrations derived from the analysis of R chondrites spectra. We found that the olivine abundance for these asteroids varies from 0.68 to 0.93, while the fraction of low-Ca pyroxene to total pyroxene ranges from 0.6 to 0.9. A search for dynamical connections between the olivine-dominated asteroids and asteroid families found no genetic link (of the type core–mantel–crust) between these objects.

Physical characterization of Warm Spitzer-observed near-Earth objects

Near-infrared spectroscopy of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) connects diagnostic spectral features to specific surface mineralogies. The combination of spectroscopy with albedos and diameters derived from thermal infrared observations can increase the scientific return beyond that of the individual datasets. For instance, some taxonomic classes can be separated into distinct compositional groupings with albedo and different mineralogies with similar albedos can be distinguished with spectroscopy. To that end, we have completed a spectroscopic observing campaign to complement the ExploreNEOs Warm Spitzer program that obtained albedos and diameters of nearly 600 NEOs (Trilling, D.E. et al. [2010]. Astron. J. 140, 770–784. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256/140/3/770). The spectroscopy campaign included visible and near-infrared observations of ExploreNEOs targets from various observatories. Here we present the results of observations using the low-resolution prism mode (∼0.7–2.5μm) of the SpeX instrument on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). We also include near-infrared observations of ExploreNEOs targets from the MIT-UH-IRTF Joint Campaign for Spectral Reconnaissance. Our dataset includes near-infrared spectra of 187 ExploreNEOs targets (125 observations of 92 objects from our survey and 213 observations of 154 objects from the MIT survey). We identify a taxonomic class for each spectrum and use band parameter analysis to investigate the mineralogies for the S-, Q-, and V-complex objects. Our analysis suggests that for spectra that contain near-infrared data but lack the visible wavelength region, the Bus–DeMeo system misidentifies some S-types as Q-types. We find no correlation between spectral band parameters and ExploreNEOs albedos and diameters. We investigate the correlations of phase angle with Band Area Ratio and near-infrared spectral slope. We find slightly negative Band Area Ratio (BAR) correlations with phase angle for Eros and Ivar, but a positive BAR correlation with phase angle for Ganymed. The results of our phase angle study are consistent with those of (Sanchez, J.A., Reddy, V., Nathues, A., Cloutis, E.A., Mann, P., Hiesinger, H. [2012]. Icarus 220, 36–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2012.04.008, arXiv:1205.0248). We find evidence for spectral phase reddening for Eros, Ganymed, and Ivar. We identify the likely ordinary chondrite type analog for an appropriate subset of our sample. Our resulting proportions of H, L, and LL ordinary chondrites differ from those calculated for meteorite falls and in previous studies of ordinary chondrite-like NEOs.

A search for methane in the atmosphere of Mars using ground-based mid infrared heterodyne spectroscopy

We report our search for methane in the atmosphere of Mars using high-spectral resolution heterodyne spectroscopy in the 7.8μm wavelength region. Resolving power and frequency precision of >106 of the technique enable identification and full resolution of a targeted spectral line in the terrestrial-Mars spectrum observed from the ground. Observations were carried out on two occasions, in April 2010 and May 2012 at the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope and the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, respectively. A single line in the ν4 band of methane at 1282.62448cm−1 was targeted in both cases. No absorption due to methane was detected and only upper limits of ∼100ppb for the martian atmospheric methane concentration were retrieved. Lack of observing time (due to weather) and telluric opacity greater than anticipated led to reduced signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). Based on current measurements and calculations, under proper viewing conditions, we estimate an achievable detection limit of ∼10ppb using the infrared heterodyne technique – adequate for confirming reported detections of methane based on other techniques.