Multi-epoch Spectra Research Articles

An Association in the Aquila Star‐forming Region: High‐Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy of T Tauri Stars

We present the properties of a group of young stars associated with the well-studied T Tauri star system AS 353, located in the Aquila star-forming region. The association is identified using radial velocity measurements of sample objects selected from the Herbig and Bell Catalog based on their spatial proximity to AS 353. Radial velocities of nine objects were measured from multiepoch high-resolution (R ~ 30,000) H-band spectra obtained with NIRSPEC on Keck II. High-resolution K-band spectra were also obtained for most of the sample objects. Spectral types and rotational velocities are determined for all objects in the sample. The multiepoch H-band spectra were examined for radial velocity variations to detect possible spectroscopic binaries. Eight of the nine objects have radial velocities that are consistent within the 1 σ scatter of the sample. From their mean of -8 km s-1, these eight objects have a standard deviation of 2 km s-1, which suggests that the sample stars are related. The ninth object shows significant radial velocity variations between epochs, characteristic of a spectroscopic binary. The overall multiplicity of the sample is high; we observed 13 stars in seven systems, identifying three new candidate binary components in this project. Many of the spectra reveal hydrogen emission lines typical of strong accretion processes, indicating that most of these objects harbor circumstellar disks and are less than a few million years old. Based on previous estimates, we adopt a distance of 200 ± 30 pc to the young stars in Aquila in order to calculate luminosities and place the stars on an H-R diagram. We discuss possible interpretations of the enigmatic pure emission line spectrum of HBC 684. This work represents the highest spectral resolution infrared observations to date of these intriguing, nearby young stars.

Using Multi-Band Photometry to Classify Supernovae

SummaryLarge numbers of supernovae (SNe) have been discovered in recent years, and many more will be found in the near future. Once discovered, further study of a SN and its possible use as an astronomical tool (e.g., as a distance estimator) require knowledge of the SN type. Current classification methods rely almost solely on the analysis of SN spectra to determine their type. However, spectroscopy may not be possible or practical. We present a classification method for SNe based on the comparison of their observed colors with synthetic ones, calculated from a large database of multi-epoch optical spectra of nearby events. Broadband photometry at optical wavelengths allows classification of SNe up to z = 0.75, and the use of infrared bands extends it further to z = 2.5. We demonstrate the applicability of this method, outline the observational data required to further improve the usefulness of the method, and discuss prospects for its use on future SN samples. Community access to the tools developed is provided by a dedicated website.

HD 77407 and GJ 577: Two new young stellar binaries

We present the first results from our search for close stellar and sub-stellar companions to young nearby stars on the northern sky. Our infrared imaging observations are obtained with the 3.5 m Calar Alto telescope and the AO system ALFA. With two epoch observations which were separated by about one year, we found two co-moving companion candidates, one close to HD 77407 and one close to GJ 577. For the companion candidate near GJ 577, we obtained an optical spectrum showing spectral type M 4.5; this candidate is a bound low-mass stellar companion confirmed by both proper motion and spectroscopy. We estimate the masses for HD 77407 B and GJ 577 B to be ~0.3 to and ~0.16 to , respectively. Compared to Siess et al. ([CITE]) models, each of the two pairs appears co-eval with HD 77407 A, B being 10 to 40 Myrs and GJ 577 A, B being ≥100 Myrs old. We also took multi-epoch high-resolution spectra of HD 77407 to search for sub-stellar companions, but did not find any with as upper mass () limit (for up to 4 year orbits); however, we detected a long-term radial velocity trend in HD 77407 A, consistent with a ~0.3 companion at ~50 AU separation, i.e. the one detected by the imaging. Hence, HD 77407 B is confirmed to be a bound companion to HD 77407 A. We also present limits for undetected, but detectable companions using a deep image of HD 77407 A and B, also observed with the Keck NIRC2 AO system; any brown dwarfs were detectable outside of 0.5 arcsec (17 AU at HD 77407), giant planets with masses from ~6.5 to 12 were detectable at ≥1.5 arcsec.

Not Color‐Blind: Using Multiband Photometry to Classify Supernovae

ABSTRACTLarge numbers of supernovae (SNe) have been discovered in recent years, and many more will be found in the near future. Once discovered, further study of a SN and its possible use as an astronomical tool (e.g., as a distance estimator) require knowledge of the SN type. Current classification methods rely almost solely on the analysis of SN spectra to determine their type. However, spectroscopy may not be possible or practical when SNe are faint, numerous, or discovered in archival studies. We present a classification method for SNe based on the comparison of their observed colors with synthetic ones, calculated from a large database of multiepoch optical spectra of nearby events. We discuss the capabilities and limitations of this method. For example, Type Ia SNe at redshifts z<0.1 can be distinguished from most other SN types during the first few weeks of their evolution, based on V−R versus R−I colors. Type II‐P SNe have distinct (very red) colors at late (t>100 days) stages. Broadband photometry through standard Johnson‐Cousins UBVRI filters can be useful to classify SNe out to z ≈ 0.6. The use of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) ugriz filters allows the extension of our classification method to even higher redshifts (z = 0.75), and the use of infrared bands, to z = 2.5. We demonstrate the application of this method to a recently discovered SN from the SDSS. Finally, we outline the observational data required to further improve the sensitivity of the method and discuss prospects for its use on future SN samples. Community access to the tools developed is provided by a dedicated Web site.