Near-infrared Photometry Research Articles

A Near-infrared Survey of Candidate Haumea Family Members

The Haumea family is the only known dynamical family in the trans-Neptunian region. To date, 10 family members have been unambiguously identified using near-infrared (NIR) spectral or photometric data in combination with their strong dynamical proximity and the rest of the family. In this work, we build off previous empirically constructed models of the family to identify 39 candidate family members and follow up on eight of them using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to measure their visible and NIR colors. Six of the candidates have strong water-ice absorption features—consistent with family membership. Based on these initial findings, our sample of 39 candidate family members should contain about 20 more water-rich objects. Combining the HST visible and NIR photometry with past results, we find no evidence for significant color heterogeneity within the family. Of the six new family members, two have Δv ∼ 300 m s−1, well outside of the traditionally defined velocity dispersion limit of ∼150 m s−1. As evidence suggests they are not affected by any of Neptune’s resonances, we propose that these family members are the result of dynamical sculpting by Neptune during its outward migration. Further searches for far-flung family members will be able to further explore this hypothesis.

Investigating the extinction and magnetic field geometry in the Bok globule CB26

ABSTRACT This study investigates the extinction properties, dust distribution, and magnetic field characteristics of the CB26 cloud. Extinction mapping, derived from near-infrared photometry, reveals a good correlation with the dust distribution, as traced by Herschel1SPIRE 500 $\mu\mathrm{ m}$ data, indicating a close link between dust and extinction. The derived column density estimates align with previous Herschel studies. Our optical polarization observations of CB26 reveal a well-aligned magnetic field in the cloud’s low-density envelope, closely following the Galactic plane. In contrast, our reanalysis of archival submillimetre polarization data of CB26 suggests a distinct magnetic field orientation within the cloud core. The offset angle between the core and Galactic magnetic fields is approximately 90$^\circ$, suggesting a decoupling of the core’s magnetic field from the large-scale Galactic field. A relationship is found between polarization rate and distance for 24 field stars in CB26, suggesting that most of the polarization is contributed by dust within 600 pc along the line of sight.

Optical and near-infrared photometry of 94 type II supernovae from the Carnegie Supernova Project

Type II supernovae (SNe II) mark the endpoint in the lives of hydrogen-rich massive stars. Their large explosion energies and luminosities allow us to measure distances, metallicities, and star formation rates into the distant Universe. To fully exploit their use in answering different astrophysical problems, high-quality low-redshift data sets are required. Such samples are vital to understand the physics of SNe II, but also to serve as calibrators for distinct -- and often lower-quality -- samples. We present $uBgVri$ optical and $YJH$ near-infrared (NIR) photometry for 94 low-redshift SNe II observed by the Carnegie Supernova Project (CSP). A total of 9817 optical and 1872 NIR photometric data points are released, leading to a sample of high-quality SN II light curves during the first sim 150 days post explosion on a well-calibrated photometric system. The sample is presented and its properties are analysed and discussed through comparison to literature events. We also focus on individual SNe II as examples of classically defined subtypes and outlier objects. Making a cut in the plateau decline rate of our sample ($s_2$), a new subsample of fast-declining SNe II is presented. The sample has a median redshift of 0.015, with the nearest event at 0.001 and the most distant at 0.07. At optical wavelengths ($V$), the sample has a median cadence of 4.7 days over the course of a median coverage of 80 days. In the NIR ($J$), the median cadence is 7.2 days over the course of 59 days. The fast-declining subsample is more luminous than the full sample and shows shorter plateau phases. Of the non-standard SNe II highlighted, SN 2009A particularly stands out with a steeply declining then rising light curve, together with what appears to be two superimposed P-Cygni profiles of in its spectra. We outline the significant utility of these data, and finally provide an outlook of future SN II science.

SN 2021adxl: A luminous nearby interacting supernova in an extremely low-metallicity environment

SN 2021adxl is a slowly evolving, luminous, Type IIn supernova with asymmetric emission line profiles, similar to the well-studied SN 2010jl. We present extensive optical, near-ultraviolet, and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy covering ∼1.5 years post discovery. SN 2021adxl occurred in an unusual environment, atop a vigorously star-forming region that is offset from its host galaxy core. The appearance of Lyα and O II, as well as the compact core, would classify the host of SN 2021adxl as a “Blueberry” galaxy, analogous to higher redshift, low-metallicity, star-forming dwarf “Green Pea” galaxies. Using several abundance indicators, we find a metallicity of the explosion environment of only ∼0.1 Z⊙, the lowest reported metallicity for a Type IIn SN environment. SN 2021adxl reaches a peak magnitude of Mr ≈ −20.2 mag and since discovery, SN 2021adxl has faded by only ∼4 magnitudes in the r band with a cumulative radiated energy of ∼1.5 × 1050 erg over 18 months. SN 2021adxl shows strong signs of interaction with a complex circumstellar medium, seen by the detection of X-rays, revealed by the detection of coronal emission lines, and through multi-component hydrogen and helium profiles. In order to further understand this interaction, we model the Hα profile using a Monte Carlo electron scattering code. The blueshifted high-velocity component is consistent with emission from a radially thin spherical shell resulting in the broad emission components due to electron scattering. Using the velocity evolution of this emitting shell, we find that the SN ejecta collide with circumstellar material of at least ∼5 M⊙ assuming a steady-state mass-loss rate of ∼4 − 6 × 10−3 M⊙ yr−1 for the first ∼200 days of evolution. SN 2021adxl was last observed to be slowly declining at ∼0.01 mag d−1, and if this trend continues, SN 2021adxl will remain observable after its current solar conjunction. Continuing the observations of SN 2021adxl may reveal signatures of dust formation or an infrared excess, similar to that seen for SN 2010jl.

Combined Gemini-South and HST photometric analysis of the globular cluster NGC 6558

Context. NGC 6558 is a low-galactic-latitude globular cluster projected in the direction of the Galactic bulge. Due to high reddening, this region presents challenges in deriving accurate parameters, which require meticulous photometric analysis. We present a combined analysis of near-infrared and optical photometry from multi-epoch high-resolution images collected with Gemini-South/GSAOI+GeMS (in the J and KS filters) and HST/ACS (in the F606W and F814W filters). Aims. We aim to refine the fundamental parameters of NGC 6558, utilising high-quality Gemini-South/GSAOI and HST/ACS photometries. Additionally, we intend to investigate its role in the formation of the Galactic bulge. Methods. We performed a meticulous differential reddening correction to investigate the effect of contamination from Galactic bulge field stars. To derive the fundamental parameters – age, distance, reddening, and the total-to-selective coefficient – we employed a Bayesian isochrone fitting. The results from high-resolution spectroscopy and RR Lyrae stars were implemented as priors. For the orbital parameters, we employed a barred Galactic mass model. Furthermore, we analysed the age-metallicity relation to contextualise NGC 6558 within the Galactic bulge’s history. Results. We studied the impact of two differential reddening corrections on the age derivation. When removing as much as possible of the Galactic bulge field star contamination, the isochrone fitting combined with synthetic colour-magnitude diagrams gives a distance of 8.41−0.10+0.11 kpc, an age of 13.0 ± 0.9 Gyr, and a reddening of E(B − V) = 0.34 ± 0.02. We derived a total-to-selective coefficient of RV = 3.2 ± 0.2 thanks to the simultaneous near-infrared–optical synthetic colour-magnitude diagram fitting, which, aside from errors, agrees with the commonly used value. The orbital parameters showed that NGC 6558 is confined within the inner Galaxy and it is not compatible with a bar-shape orbit, indicating that it is a bulge member. Assembling the old and moderately metal-poor ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.1) clusters in the Galactic bulge, we derived their age-metallicity relation with star formation starting at 13.6 ± 0.2 Gyr and effective yields of ρ = 0.05 ± 0.01 Z⊙. Conclusions. The old age derived for NGC 6558 is compatible with other clusters with similar metallicity and a blue horizontal branch in the Galactic bulge, which constitute the moderately metal-poor globular clusters. The age-metallicity relation shows that the starting age of star formation is compatible with the age of NGC 6558, and the chemical enrichment is ten times faster than the ex situ globular cluster branch.

Gemini Near-infrared Photometry for a Sample of Cold Brown Dwarfs Discovered by Backyard Worlds: Planet 9

We present Gemini Observatory follow-up J-band and K-band photometry for a sample of 16 T/Y dwarf candidates discovered by the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen science project. The Gemini observations were taken with Gemini-North using the Near-Infrared Imager instrument between 2017 September and 2018 March. Obtaining near-infrared photometry of very cold brown dwarfs is important for enabling and prioritizing future spectroscopic follow-up, particularly in the context of JWST spectroscopy of T and Y dwarfs.

Mapping the Milky Way in 5D with 170 Million Stars

We present Augustus, a catalog of distance, extinction, and stellar parameter estimates for 170 million stars from 14 mag < r < 20 mag and with ∣b∣ > 10° drawing on a combination of optical to near-infrared photometry from Pan-STARRS, 2MASS, UKIDSS, and unWISE along with parallax measurements from Gaia DR2 and 3D dust extinction maps. After applying quality cuts, we find 125 million objects have “high-quality” posteriors with statistical distance uncertainties of ≲10% for objects with well-constrained stellar types. This is a substantial improvement over the distance estimates derived from Gaia parallaxes alone and in line with the recent results from Anders et al. We find the fits are able to reproduce the dereddened Gaia color–magnitude diagram accurately, which serves as a useful consistency check of our results. We show that we are able to detect large, kinematically coherent substructures in our data clearly relative to the input priors, including the Monoceros Ring and the Sagittarius Stream, attesting to the quality of the catalog. Our results are publicly available at doi:10.7910/DVN/WYMSXV. An accompanying interactive visualization can be found at http://allsky.s3-website.us-east-2.amazonaws.com.

Comparing bulge RR Lyrae stars with bulge giants

Context. The structure and kinematics of the old component of the Galactic bulge are still a matter of debate. It is clear that the bulk of the bulge as traced by red clump stars includes two main components, which are usually identified as the metal-rich and metal-poor components. They have different shapes, kinematics, mean metallicities, and alpha-element abundances. It is our current understanding that they are associated with a bar and a spheroid, respectively. On the other hand, RR Lyrae variables trace the oldest population of the bulge. While it would be natural to think that they follow the structure and kinematics of the metal-poor component, the data analysed in the literature show conflicting results. Aims. We aim to derive a rotation curve for bulge RR Lyrae stars in order to determine that the old component traced by these stars is distinct from the two main components observed in the Galactic bulge. Methods. This paper combines APOGEE-2S spectra with OGLE-IV light curves, near-infrared photometry, and proper motions from the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea survey for 4193 RR Lyrae stars. Six-dimensional phase-space coordinates were used to calculate orbits within an updated Galactic potential and to isolate the stars. Results. The stars that stay confined within the bulge represent 57% of our sample. Our results show that bulge RR Lyrae variables rotate more slowly than metal-rich red clump stars and have a lower velocity dispersion. Their kinematics is compatible with them being the low-metallicity tail of the metal-poor component. We confirm that a rather large fraction of halo and thick disc RR Lyrae stars pass by the bulge within their orbits, increasing the velocity dispersion. A proper orbital analysis is therefore critical to isolate bona fide bulge variables. Finally, bulge RR Lyrae seem to trace a spheroidal component, although the current data do now allow us to reach a firm conclusion about the spatial distribution.

The COSMOS-Web ring: In-depth characterization of an Einstein ring lensing system at z ∼ 2

Aims. We provide an in-depth analysis of the COSMOS-Web ring, an Einstein ring at z ≈ 2 that we serendipitously discovered during the data reduction of the COSMOS-Web survey and that could be the most distant lens discovered to date. Methods. We extracted the visible and near-infrared photometry of the source and the lens from more than 25 bands. We combined these observations with far-infrared detections to study the dusty nature of the source and we derived the photometric redshifts and physical properties of both the lens and the source with three different spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting codes. Using JWST/NIRCam images, we also produced two lens models to (i) recover the total mass of the lens, (ii) derive the magnification of the system, (iii) reconstruct the morphology of the lensed source, and (iv) measure the slope of the total mass density profile of the lens. Results. We find the lens to be a very massive elliptical galaxy at z = 2.02 ± 0.02 with a total mass within the Einstein radius of Mtot(&lt;θEin = (3.66 ± 0.36) × 1011 M⊙ and a total stellar mass of M⋆ = 1.37−0.11+0.14 × 1011 M⊙. We also estimate it to be compact and quiescent with a specific star formation rate below 10−13 yr. Compared to stellar-to-halo mass relations from the literature, we find that the total mass of the lens within the Einstein radius is consistent with the presence of a dark matter (DM) halo of total mass Mh = 1.09−0.57+1.46 × 1013 M⊙. In addition, the background source is a M⋆ = (1.26 ± 0.17) × 1010 M⊙ star-forming galaxy (SFR ≈ (78 ± 15) M⊙ yr) at z = 5.48 ± 0.06. The morphology reconstructed in the source plane shows two clear components with different colors. Dust attenuation values from SED fitting and nearby detections in the far infrared also suggest that the background source could be at least partially dust-obscured. Conclusions. We find the lens at z ≈ 2. Its total, stellar, and DM halo masses are consistent within the Einstein ring, so we do not need any unexpected changes in our description of the lens such as changing its initial mass function or including a non-negligible gas contribution. The most likely solution for the lensed source is at z ≈ 5.5. Its reconstructed morphology is complex and highly wavelength dependent, possibly because it is a merger or a main sequence galaxy with a heterogeneous dust distribution.

The enigmatic double-peaked stripped-envelope SN 2023aew

We present optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of SN 2023aew and our findings on its remarkable properties. This event, initially resembling a Type IIb supernova (SN), rebrightens dramatically sim 90 d after the first peak, at which time its spectrum transforms into that of a SN Ic. The slowly evolving spectrum specifically resembles a post-peak SN Ic with relatively low line velocities even during the second rise. The second peak, reached 119 d after the first peak, is both more luminous ($M_r = -18.75 mag) and much broader than those of typical SNe Ic. Blackbody fits to SN 2023aew indicate that the photosphere shrinks almost throughout its observed evolution, and the second peak is caused by an increasing temperature. Bumps in the light curve after the second peak suggest interaction with circumstellar matter (CSM) or possibly accretion. We consider several scenarios for producing the unprecedented behavior of SN 2023aew. Two separate SNe, either unrelated or from the same binary system, require either an incredible coincidence or extreme fine-tuning. A pre-SN eruption followed by a SN requires an extremely powerful, SN-like eruption (consistent with sim 1051 erg) and is also disfavored. We therefore consider only the first peak a true stellar explosion. The observed evolution is difficult to reproduce if the second peak is dominated by interaction with a distant CSM shell. A delayed internal heating mechanism is more likely, but emerging embedded interaction with a CSM disk should be accompanied by CSM lines in the spectrum, which are not observed, and is difficult to hide long enough. A magnetar central engine requires a delayed onset to explain the long time between the peaks. Delayed fallback accretion onto a black hole may present the most promising scenario, but we cannot definitively establish the power source.

The enigma of Gaia18cjb: A possible rare hybrid of FUor and EXor properties

Context.Gaia18cjb is one of theGaia-alerted eruptive young star candidates that has been experiencing a slow and strong brightening during the last 13 years, similarly to some FU Orionis-type objects.Aims.The aim of this work is to derive the young stellar nature of Gaia18cjb and determine its physical and accretion properties to classify its variability.Methods.We conducted monitoring observations using multi-filter optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry, as well as NIR spectroscopy. We present an analysis of pre-outburst and outburst optical and IR light curves, color-magnitude diagrams in different bands, the detection of NIR spectral lines, and estimates of both stellar and accretion parameters during the burst.Results.The optical light curve shows an unusually long (over 8 years) brightening event of 5 mag in the last 13 years, before reaching a plateau indicating that the burst is still ongoing, suggesting a FU Orionis-like (FUor-like) nature. The same outburst is less strong in the IR light curves. The NIR spectra, obtained during the outburst, exhibit emission lines typical of highly accreting low-intermediate mass young stars with typical EX Lupi-type (EXor) features. The spectral index of Gaia18cjb SED classifies it as a Class I in the pre-burst stage and a flat-spectrum young stellar object (YSO) during the burst.Conclusions.Gaia18cjb is an eruptive YSO that exhibits FUor-like photometric features (in terms of brightening amplitude and length of the burst) as well as EXor-like spectroscopic features and accretion rate. Its nature appears similar to that of V350 Cep and V1647 Ori, which have been classified as objects in between FUors and EXors.

Multiwavelength photometric study of RR lyrae variables in the globular cluster NGC 5272 (Messier 3)

ABSTRACT We present a comprehensive photometric study of RR Lyrae stars in the M3 globular cluster, utilizing a vast data set of 3140 optical (UBVRI) CCD images spanning 35 yr from astronomical data archives. We have successfully identified previously known 238 RR Lyrae stars from the photometric data, comprising 178 RRab, 49 RRc, and 11 RRd stars. Multiband periodogram was used to significantly improve the long-term periods of 65 per cent of RR Lyrae stars in our sample, thanks to the unprecedentedly long temporal coverage of the observations. The light curve templates were used to obtain accurate and precise mean magnitudes and amplitudes of all RR Lyrae variables. We combined optical (UBVRI) and near-infrared (NIR, JHKs) photometry of RR Lyrae variables to investigate their location in the colour-magnitude diagrams as well as the pulsation properties such as period distributions, Bailey diagrams and amplitude ratios. The period–luminosity relations in R and I bands and Period–Wesenheit relations were derived after excluding outliers identified in CMDs. The Period–Wesenheit relations calibrated via the theoretically predicted relations were used to determine a distance modulus of $\mu = 15.04 \pm 0.04 \, {\rm (stats)} \pm 0.19 \, {\rm {(syst.)}}$ mag (using metal-independent WBV Wesenheit) and $\mu = 15.03 \pm 0.04 \, {\rm (stats)} \pm 0.17 \, {\rm {(syst.)}}$ mag (using metal-dependent WVI Wesenheit). Our distance measurements are in excellent agreement with published distances to M3 in the literature. We also employed an artificial neural network based comparison of theoretical and observed light curves to determine physical parameters (mass, luminosity, and effective temperature) for 79 non-Blazhko RRab stars that agree with limited literature measurements.

The Timescales of Star Cluster Emergence: The Case of NGC 4449

We survey the young star cluster population in the dwarf galaxy NGC 4449 with the goal of investigating how stellar feedback may depend on the clusters’ properties. Using ultraviolet (UV)–optical–near-infrared photometry obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope, we have recovered 99 compact sources exhibiting emission in the Paβ hydrogen recombination line. Our analysis reveals these sources possess masses of 102 < M ⊙ < 105, ages of 1–20 Myr, and a color excess E(B − V) in the range 0–1.4. After selecting clusters with masses above 3000 M ⊙ to mitigate stochastic sampling of the stellar initial mass function, we find that our IR-selected clusters have a median mass ∼ 7 × 103 M ⊙ and remain embedded in their surrounding gas and dust for 5–6 Myr. In contrast, line-emitting sources selected from existing UV/optical catalogs have a median mass ∼ 3.5 × 104 M ⊙ and have cleared their surroundings by 4 Myr. We further find that the environment in NGC 4449 has too low pressure to drive these differences. We interpret these findings as evidence that the clearing timescale from presupernova and supernova feedback is cluster mass dependent. Even in clusters with masses ∼ 7000 M ⊙, stochastic sampling of the upper end of the stellar initial mass function is present, randomly decreasing the number of massive stars available to inject energy and momentum into the surrounding medium. This effect may increase the clearing timescales in these clusters by decreasing the effectiveness of both presupernova and supernova feedback; neither models nor observations have so far explored such dependence explicitly. Future studies and observations with, e.g., the JWST, will fill this gap.

Resolved Near-infrared Stellar Photometry from the Magellan Telescope for 13 Nearby Galaxies: J-region Asymptotic Giant Branch Method Distances

We present near-infrared JHK photometry for the resolved stellar populations in 13 nearby galaxies: NGC 6822, IC 1613, NGC 3109, Sextans B, Sextans A, NGC 300, NGC 55, NGC 7793, NGC 247, NGC 5253, Cen A, NGC 1313, and M83, acquired from the 6.5 m Baade–Magellan telescope. We measure distances to each galaxy using the J-region asymptotic giant branch (JAGB) method, a new standard candle that leverages the constant luminosities of color-selected, carbon-rich AGB stars. While only single-epoch, random-phase photometry is necessary to derive JAGB distances, our photometry is time-averaged over multiple epochs, thereby decreasing the contribution of the JAGB stars’ intrinsic variability to the measured dispersions in their observed luminosity functions. To cross-validate these distances, we also measure near-infrared tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) distances to these galaxies. The residuals obtained from subtracting the distance moduli from the two methods yield an rms scatter of σ JAGB−TRGB = ±0.07 mag. Therefore, all systematics in the JAGB method and TRGB method (e.g., crowding, differential reddening, star formation histories) must be contained within these ±0.07 mag bounds for this sample of galaxies because the JAGB and TRGB distance indicators are drawn from entirely distinct stellar populations and are thus affected by these systematics independently. Finally, the composite JAGB star luminosity function formed from this diverse sample of galaxies is well described by a Gaussian function with a modal value of M J = –6.20 ± 0.003 mag (stat), indicating that the underlying JAGB star luminosity function of a well-sampled full star formation history is highly symmetric and Gaussian based on over 6700 JAGB stars in the composite sample.

Near-infrared Photometry of the Moon’s Surface with Passive Radiometry from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)

Examining the reflectance of the Moon’s surface across a broad range of viewing geometries through photometric analysis can reveal physical and geological properties of its regolith. Since 2013 December, the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) on board the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has been operating as a near-infrared (1064 nm) passive radiometer when its laser is turned off. We present a new analysis of this data set spanning roughly 8 yr and covering the surface up to high latitudes in both hemispheres. We apply semiempirical phase functions to find a lower photometric slope and a narrower opposition effect for the highlands than the maria, consistent with theoretical expectations given the higher albedo of the highlands. Examining various geological properties at global scales shows that, in the highlands, iron abundance (FeO) and optical maturity (OMAT) are the dominant factors affecting the phase function, with a smaller influence from surface slope. In the maria, FeO is the dominant factor, with smaller influences from OMAT, surface slope, and TiO2. Submicroscopic iron abundance (SMFe) has a similar effect to OMAT in both highlands and maria. Analysis at specific sites, including the Reiner Gamma swirl and several silicic anomalies, indicates that the phase functions are consistent with the global data for similar FeO and OMAT. Thermophysical properties inferred from surface temperature observations by the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment on board LRO do not affect the 1064 nm phase function, possibly due to a difference between their depth scale and LOLA’s sensing depth.

Pushing the limits of near-infrared photometry with the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System: study of crowded fields in the globular cluster M5

ABSTRACT We present the deepest J −Ks near-infrared photometry of the globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904) from observations taken with the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager in tandem with the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS) on the 8.1-m Gemini South telescope. Point spread function (PSF) photometry was carried out using a spatially variable PSF, zero-point calibrations based on correlations to a standard photometric catalogue, colour corrections, and crowding corrections. The latter corrections provided a new challenge given the field variations of the adaptive optics corrections in the central crowded regions of this cluster. The final photometric precision in our J− Ks colour–magnitude diagram exposes a dispersion among the lower main-sequence stars of M5 for the first time. This dispersion occurs below a main-sequence knee due to variations in the helium and CNO (carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen) abundances from multiple stellar populations, consistent with results from the bright evolved stars in this cluster from ultraviolet to near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope photometry and ground-based spectroscopy. This paper completes our original GeMS quality analysis programme, providing insights into adaptive optics analyses in crowded fields.

Evaluating the Consistency of Cosmological Distances Using Supernova Siblings in the Near-infrared

The study of supernova (SN) siblings, supernovae with the same host galaxy, is an important avenue for understanding and measuring the properties of Type Ia SN Ia light curves (LCs). Thus far, sibling analyses have mainly focused on optical LC data. Considering that LCs in the near-infrared (NIR) are expected to be better standard candles than those in the optical, we carry out the first analysis compiling SN siblings with only NIR data. We perform an extensive literature search of all SN siblings and find six sets of siblings with published NIR photometry. We calibrate each set of siblings ensuring they are on homogeneous photometric systems, fit the LCs with the SALT3-NIR and SNooPy models, and find median absolute differences in μ values between siblings of 0.248 and 0.186 mag, respectively. To evaluate the significance of these differences beyond measurement noise, we run simulations that mimic these LCs and provide an estimate for uncertainty on these median absolute differences of ∼0.052 mag, and we find that, statistically, our analysis rules out the nonexistence of intrinsic scatter in the NIR at the 99% level. When comparing the same sets of SN siblings, we observe a median absolute difference in μ values between siblings of 0.177 mag when using optical data alone as compared to 0.186 mag when using NIR data alone. It is unclear if these results may be due to limited statistics or poor quality NIR data, all of which will be improved with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

The galaxy cluster AC114. III. The role of galaxy clusters in the mass-metallicity relation

The mass-metallicity relation (MZR) is a powerful tool to constrain internal physical processes that drive the chemical evolution of galaxies. However, the construction of this relation is carried out with field star-forming galaxies in big data surveys where environmental effects are either negligible or not studied in detail. We study the role of galaxy clusters in the MZR and its evolution at z=0.317 with star-forming members of AC114 (ABELL S1077). The purpose of this work is to understand how both the environmental effects and dynamical events modify the chemical evolution in this galaxy cluster. Spectroscopic VIMOS/VLT data was used to select cluster members and classify the galaxy sample in star-forming and passive galaxies. Gas-phase metallicities were estimated by using the strong-line method O3N2 calibrated on Te-based oxygen abundances. Available optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry from DECaLS DR10 and the VIKING DR4 ESO survey was used to derive the stellar mass of the galaxy sample. AC114 is dominated by passive galaxies located in the central region of the cluster, whereas the star-forming members tend to be located outside this region. The constructed MZR from the latter indicates that star-forming galaxies have a lower metal content than foreground galaxies (spanning redshifts up to z=0.28), and the same or even lower metallicities with respect to background galaxies (spanning redshifts 0.34 to 0.70). Additionally, it shows a higher scatter of $ = 0.17$ dex, consistent with MZRs of galaxy clusters reported in the literature. The MZR at z=0.317 is downshifted by 0.19 dex on average with respect to local galaxies. Comparing the AC114-MZR with the field MZR at the same redshift, two galaxies are found to be more metal-rich than the field ones by $ 0.10$ dex. Likely as a result of ram-pressure stripping, star-forming galaxies deviate more from the MZR than field galaxies at the same redshift. Star-forming galaxies in the cluster are in general metal-poorer than field galaxies at the same redshfit up to $ 0.22$ dex, and show a MZR that is slightly shallower in slope compared with that of field galaxies. With a redshift analysis, three substructures were identified: star-forming galaxies in the main component show a higher scatter of 0.20 dex in metallicity than both the front and back ones, with a scatter of 0.07 and 0.11 dex, respectively. Star-forming galaxies located outside the central region of AC114 are driving the shallower slope of the cluster MZR. The slightly shallower slope and high scatter of AC114 with respect to foreground and background galaxies in the mass-metallicity plane indicates that galaxies are suffering from environmental and dynamical effects. Ram-pressure stripping and strangulation are likely the main drivers in increasing the metallicities of at least two star-forming members with respect to the field MZR at the same redshift. However, the lower metallicities of the star-forming black members, which drive the flatter slope of the AC114-MZR, can be explained by strong metal-poor inflows triggered by galaxy-galaxy interactions. In fact, the downshift reported for these galaxies is consistent with other observations and simulations, as a result of mergers and/or flybys, which dilute the gas-phase metallicities from metal-poor inflows. The mass of a galaxy cluster appears to be a key variable in determining the importance of environmental effects in the evolution of cluster members, where massive galaxy clusters ($M_ vir M_ odot $) show changes in the slope of the MZR.

Correlating Intrinsic Stellar Parameters with Mg ii Self-reversal Depths

The Mg ii h&k emission lines (2803, 2796 Å) are a useful tool for understanding stellar chromospheres and transition regions due to their intrinsic brightness, relatively low interstellar medium (ISM) absorption interference, and abundance of archival spectra available. Similar to other optically thick chromospheric emission lines such as H i Lyα, Mg ii emissions commonly present with a self-reversed line core, the depth and shape of which vary from star to star. We explore the relationship between self-reversal and the stellar atmosphere by investigating the extent to which fundamental stellar parameters affect self-reversal. We present a search for correlations between photospheric parameters such as effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity with the Mg ii k self-reversal depth for a group of 135 FGKM main-sequence stars with high-resolution near-ultraviolet spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope. We modeled the observed Mg ii k line profiles to correct for ISM attenuation and recover the depth of the emission line’s self-reversal in relation to the intensity of the line. We used the PHOENIX atmosphere code to homogeneously determine the stellar parameters by computing a suite of stellar atmosphere models that include a chromosphere and transition region, and using archival photometry to guide the models of each star. We quantify the sensitivity of the visible and near-infrared photometry to chromospheric and photospheric parameters. We find weak trends between Mg ii k self-reversal depth and age, rotation period, Mg ii luminosity, temperature, and mass. All stars in our sample older than ∼2 Gyr or rotating slower than ∼10 days exhibit self-reversal.

Near-Infrared photometry of Neptune’s small regular satellites with Keck

We present data and images that provide insight on the infrared photometry and reflectivity of five of Neptune’s small, regular moons: Proteus, Despina, Galatea, Larissa, and Naiad. Data were taken in the H-band (1.485–1.781μm) on October 07, 2021 from the Keck telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii using the NIRC2 instrument with adaptive optics. We applied a shift-and-stack procedure that allowed us to enhance the signal to noise ratio on each moon as it moved across the detector frame-by-frame. We applied an aperture photometry method to these stacked images in order to extract the flux density and reflectivity of each moon. We find that the H-band albedo of Proteus, Larissa, Galatea, and Despina is the same within one standard deviation, with values near 0.13. The brightness of Naiad is somewhat lower, with a geometric albedo of 0.072±0.013. Comparing these findings with previous observations at visible and infrared wavelengths, we find that four of the five observed moons display a slight spectral reddening from visible to near-infrared wavelengths.