Spectral Catalog Research Articles

A stellar census in globular clusters with MUSE: A spectral catalogue of emission-line sources

Aims. Globular clusters produce many exotic stars due to a much higher frequency of dynamical interactions in their dense stellar environments. Some of these objects were observed together with several hundred thousand other stars in our MUSE survey of 26 Galactic globular clusters. Assuming that at least a few exotic stars have exotic spectra (i.e. spectra that contain emission lines), we can use this large spectroscopic data set of over a million stellar spectra as a blind survey to detect stellar exotica in globular clusters. Methods. To detect emission lines in each spectrum, we modelled the expected shape of an emission line as a Gaussian curve. This template was used for matched filtering on the differences between each observed 1D spectrum and its fitted spectral model. The spectra with the most significant detections of Hα emission are checked visually and cross-matched with published catalogues. Results. We find 156 stars with Hα emission, including several known cataclysmic variables (CV) and two new CVs, pulsating variable stars, eclipsing binary stars, the optical counterpart of a known black hole, several probable sub-subgiants and red stragglers, and 21 background emission-line galaxies. We find possible optical counterparts to 39 X-ray sources, as we detected Hα emission in several spectra of stars that are close to known positions of Chandra X-ray sources. This spectral catalogue can be used to supplement existing or future X-ray or radio observations with spectra of potential optical counterparts to classify the sources.

A Bayesian Fermi-GBM short GRB spectral catalogue

ABSTRACT Inspired by the confirmed detection of a short gamma-ray burst (GRB) in association with a gravitational wave signal, we present the first Bayesian Fermi-Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) short GRB spectral catalogue. Both peak flux and time-resolved spectral results are presented. Data are analysed with the proper Poisson likelihood allowing us to provide statistically reliable results even for spectra with few counts. All fits are validated with posterior predictive checks. We find that nearly all spectra can be modelled with a cut-off power law. Additionally, we release the full posterior distributions and reduced data from our sample. Following our previous study, we introduce three variability classes based on the observed light-curve structure.

Reflectance spectroscopy of insoluble organic matter (IOM) and carbonaceous meteorites

AbstractInsoluble organic matter (IOM) is the major organic component of chondritic meteorites and may be akin to organic materials from comets and interplanetary dust particles (IDPs). Reflectance spectra of IOM in the range 0.35–25 μm are presented as a tool for interpreting organic chemistry from remote measurements of asteroids, comets, IDPs, and other planetary bodies. Absorptions in the IOM spectra were strongly related to elemental H/C (atom) ratio. The aliphatic 3.4 μm absorption in IOM spectra increased linearly in strength with increasing H/C for H/C > 0.4, but was absent at lower H/C values. When meteorite spectra from the Reflectance Experiment Laboratory (RELAB) spectral catalog (n = 85) were reanalyzed at 3.4 μm, this detection limit (H/C > 0.4) persisted. Aromatic absorption features seen in IOM spectra were not observed in the meteorite spectra due to overlapping absorptions. However, the 3.4 μm aliphatic absorption strength for the bulk meteorites was correlated with both H/C of the meteorite's IOM and bulk C (wt%). Gaussian modeling of the 3 μm region provided an additional estimate of bulk C for the meteorites, along with bulk H (wt%), which is related to phyllosilicate abundance. These relationships lay the foundation for determining organic and phyllosilicate abundances from reflectance spectra. Both the full IOM spectra and the spectral parameters discussed here will aid in the interpretation of data from asteroid missions (e.g., OSIRIS‐REx, Hayabusa2), and may be able to place unknown spectral samples within the context of the meteorite collection.

Ozone intensities in the rotational bands

This note provides a citable reference to a database reconciliation effort for ozone pure rotational intensities. The permanent dipole moment and theoretical adjustments for centrifugal distortion are utilized in a predictive calculation that is compared to experimental measurements. This prediction has been available in the JPL spectral line catalog since 2005, but has been at odds with the HITRAN database, which was originally based on an atlas provided by Flaud (HITRAN 1992) and subsequently scaled by 4% (HITRAN 2004). Using a modified partition function and isotopic abundance factor, the JPL 2005 prediction has now been utilized to create a self-consistent entry as an interim update to the HITRAN2016 database. Ramifications of the intensity change for users of HITRAN versions 2004–2012 are discussed. New pure rotational intensity measurements were carried out supporting the validity of the JPL 2005 database.

A radio spectral index map and catalogue at 147–1400 MHz covering 80 per cent of the sky

Abstract The radio spectral index is a powerful probe for classifying cosmic radio sources and understanding the origin of the radio emission. Combining data at 147 MHz and 1.4 GHz from the TIFR GMRT Sky Survey (TGSS) and the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS), we produced a large-area radio spectral index map of ∼80 per cent of the sky (Dec. > − 40 deg), as well as a radio spectral index catalogue containing 1396 515 sources, of which 503 647 are not upper or lower limits. Almost every TGSS source has a detected counterpart, while this is true only for 36 per cent of NVSS sources. We released both the map and the catalogue to the astronomical community. The catalogue is analysed to discover systematic behaviours in the cosmic radio population. We find a differential spectral behaviour between faint and bright sources as well as between compact and extended sources. These trends are explained in terms of radio galaxy evolution. We also confirm earlier reports of an excess of steep-spectrum sources along the galactic plane. This corresponds to 86 compact and steep-spectrum source in excess compared to expectations. The properties of this excess are consistent with normal non-recycled pulsars, which may have been missed by pulsation searches due to larger than average scattering along the line of sight.

High signal-to-noise spectral characterization of the planetary-mass object HD 106906 b

We spectroscopically characterize the atmosphere of HD 106906b, a young low-mass companion near the deuterium burning limit. The wide separation from its host star of 7.1" makes it an ideal candidate for high S/N and high-resolution spectroscopy. We aim to derive new constraints on the spectral type, effective temperature, and luminosity of HD106906b and also to provide a high S/N template spectrum for future characterization of extrasolar planets. We obtained 1.1-2.5 $\mu$m integral field spectroscopy with the VLT/SINFONI instrument with a spectral resolution of R~2000-4000. New estimates of the parameters of HD 106906b are derived by analyzing spectral features, comparing the extracted spectra to spectral catalogs of other low-mass objects, and fitting with theoretical isochrones. We identify several spectral absorption lines that are consistent with a low mass for HD 106906b. We derive a new spectral type of L1.5$\pm$1.0, one subclass earlier than previous estimates. Through comparison with other young low-mass objects, this translates to a luminosity of log($L/L_\odot$)=$-3.65\pm0.08$ and an effective temperature of Teff=$1820\pm240$ K. Our new mass estimates range between $M=11.9^{+1.7}_{-0.8} M_{\rm Jup}$ (hot start) and $M=14.0^{+0.2}_{-0.5} M_{\rm Jup}$ (cold start). These limits take into account a possibly finite formation time, i.e., HD 106906b is allowed to be 0--3 Myr younger than its host star. We exclude accretion onto HD 106906b at rates $\dot{M}>4.8\times10^{-10} M_{\rm Jup}$yr$^{-1}$ based on the fact that we observe no hydrogen (Paschen-$\beta$, Brackett-$\gamma$) emission. This is indicative of little or no circumplanetary gas. With our new observations, HD 106906b is the planetary-mass object with one of the highest S/N spectra yet. We make the spectrum available for future comparison with data from existing and next-generation (e.g., ELT and JWST) spectrographs.

Practical uses of SPFIT

Over twenty-five years ago, Herb Pickett introduced his quantum-mechanical fitting programs to the spectroscopic community. The utility and flexibility of the software has enabled a whole generation of spectroscopists to analyze both simple and complex spectra without having to write and compile their own code. Last year Stewart Novick provided a primer for the coming generation of users. This follow-on work will serve as a guide to intermediate and advanced usage of the software. It is meant to be used in concert with the online documentation as well as the spectral line catalog archive.

Open cluster study in LAMOST DR3

AbstractIn studying Galactic open clusters based on LAMOST DR3, we deliberately selected several nearby cluster, which have relatively large projection area and reliable proper motion measurements. For each cluster, we firstly determine the typical proper motion distribution profiles in the cluster-core and the outskirt region, respectively, and perform field-star decontamination on the cluster area. We then calculate kinematic membership probability for each star in the cluster area and cross-match the highly probable members with LAMOST DR3 spectral catalog. Based on enhanced signal of cluster-member radial velocity distribution emerging from the whole field, we have also obtained reliable radial velocity membership probability for each star. Finally, we perform isochrones fitting with MCMC technique to study basic properties of these cluster, including age, metallicity, and distance modulus.

THE MILLIMETER/SUBMILLIMETER SPECTRUM OF THE METHOXY RADICAL AT LOW TEMPERATURES

ABSTRACT The methoxy radical (CH3O) has recently been detected in the interstellar medium and may be an important tracer of methanol-related chemistry in cold sources. Despite its importance, the spectral information needed to guide further astronomical searches is limited. We have therefore studied the low-temperature rotational spectrum in the laboratory within the spectral range of 246–303 GHz. We have combined these new measurements with results from a number of literature reports to refine the molecular parameters and provide an updated and improved spectral line catalog. We present here the results of the laboratory studies and the refined analysis for the millimeter and submillimeter spectrum of methoxy.

The Fermi-GBM Gamma-Ray Burst Catalogs: The First Six Years

Since its launch in 2008, the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) has triggered and located on average approximately two gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) every three days. Here we present the main results from the latest two catalogs provided by the Fermi-GBM science team, namely the third GBM GRB catalog [1] and the first GBM time-resolved spectral catalog [2]. The intention of the GBM GRB catalog is to provide information to the community on the most important observables of the GBM detected bursts. It comprises 1405 triggers identified as GRBs. For each one, location and main characteristics of the prompt emission, the duration, the peak flux and the fluence are derived. The GBM time-resolved spectral catalog presents high-quality time-resolved spectral analysis with high temporal and spectral resolution of the brightest bursts observed by Fermi GBM in a shorter period than the former catalog, namely four years. It comprises 1491 spectra from 81 bursts. Distributions of parameters, statistics of the parameter populations, parameter-parameter and parameter-uncertainty correlations, and their exact values are obtained.

Stellar spectral flux calibration of auroral H‐beta photometer signal and background channels

AbstractObservations of optical aurora typically require the operation of sensitive instruments at remote field sites. Absolute radiometric calibration of these devices is essential for quantitative comparison over time and with other measurements. In this study we present absolute calibration of a proton auroral photometer using star transits observed during regular data collection. This requires absolute flux spectra with sufficient resolution to account for structure in stellar Hβ absorption line profiles. Several flux spectral catalogs are combined and corrected for systematic differences. The resulting estimates of instrumental sensitivity are consistent with darkroom calibration to roughly 15%.

A Hyperspectral Survey of New York City Lighting Technology.

Using side-facing observations of the New York City (NYC) skyline, we identify lighting technologies via spectral signatures measured with Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR) hyperspectral imaging. The instrument is a scanning, single slit spectrograph with 872 spectral channels from 0.4–1.0 m. With a single scan, we are able to clearly match the detected spectral signatures of 13 templates of known lighting types. However, many of the observed lighting spectra do not match those that have been measured in the laboratory. We identify unknown spectra by segmenting our observations and using Template-Activated Partition (TAP) clustering with a variety of underlying unsupervised clustering methods to generate the first empirically-determined spectral catalog of roughly 40 urban lighting types. We show that, given our vantage point, we are able to determine lighting technology use for both interior and exterior lighting. Finally, we find that the total brightness of our scene shows strong peaks at the 570 nm -, 595 nm - and 818 nm - lines that are common in high pressure sodium lamps, which dominate our observations.

Automatic endmember selection and nonlinear spectral unmixing of Lunar analog minerals

While the interpretation of spectral reflectance data has been widely applied to detect the presence of minerals, determining and quantifying the abundances of minerals contained by planetary surfaces is still an open problem. With this paper we address one of the two main questions arising from the spectral unmixing problem. While the mathematical mixture model has been extensively researched, considerably less work has been committed to the selection of endmembers from a possibly huge database or catalog of potential endmembers. To solve the endmember selection problem we define a new spectral similarity measure that is not purely based on the reconstruction error, i.e. the squared difference between the modeled and the measured reflectance spectrum. To select reasonable endmembers, we extend the similarity measure by adding information extracted from the spectral absorption bands. This will allow for a better separation of spectrally similar minerals. Evaluating all possible subsets of a possibly very large catalog that contain at least one endmember leads to an exponential increase in computational complexity, rendering catalogs of 20–30 endmembers impractical. To overcome this computational limitation, we propose the usage of a genetic algorithm that, while initially starting with random subsets, forms new subsets by combining the best subsets and, to some extent, does a local search around the best subsets by randomly adding a few endmembers. A Monte-Carlo simulation based on synthetic mixtures and a catalog size varying from three to eight endmembers demonstrates that the genetic algorithm is expected to require less combinations to be evaluated than an exhaustive search if the catalog comprises 10 or more endmembers. Since the genetic algorithm evaluates some combinations multiple times, we propose a simple modification and store previously evaluated endmember combinations. The resulting algorithm is shown to never require more function evaluations than a full exhaustive search and the number of required function evaluations appears to grow less than exponentially. It thus requires considerably less time than an exhaustive search because the number of function evaluations is a hardware independent measure of the computational complexity. To evaluate the spectral similarity measure, we created a spectral reflectance catalog of selected lunar analog minerals. Based on precisely prepared mixtures of two to three components, we show that the proposed spectral similarity measure selects less false endmembers from the catalog than a similarity measure that is purely based on the reconstruction error.

Firmas espectrales de la cobertura de la Tierra, aplicando radiometría de campo. Fase 1: Región 03 occidente de Honduras

La investigación se enmarcó dentro de un proyecto nacional cuyo objetivo general es “Crear un catálogo de firmas espectrales a nivel nacional por regiones (según Plan de Nación/Visión de País) y caracterizar las coberturas de las mismas según el Sistema de Clasificación FAO, utilizando el espectro radiómetro ASD, en las bandas del espectro visible al infrarrojo cercano” para disminuir errores por dispersión atmosférica y partículas en suspensión, así como del aporte radiométrico del suelo. Se partió del hecho que el problema principal es la carencia de una base de firmas espectrales de la cobertura de la tierra, el Proyecto Nacional de Firmas espectrales tiene como Hipótesis General que: Las firmas espectrales de las diferentes coberturas de la tierra, adquiridas en campo con un espectro radiómetro, son semejantes a las firmas espectrales orbitales de la imagen corregida por dispersión de Rayleigh, siempre que la imagen sea de la misma fecha de observación. Como resultados se obtuvieron firmas espectrales de las categorías de las coberturas de la tierra: Bosque de Pino, Matorral, Agricultura, Pastos y Suelo. Para las coberturas con dominancia vegetal se aplicó el índice de vegetación de diferencia normalizada, para identificar la intensidad de biomasa con respecto a las condiciones fenológicas. Al mismo tiempo se realizó un ajuste a las condiciones del suelo, para identificar el aporte que la reflectancia de fondo (suelo) introduce en la firma espectral de la vegetación. En el análisis de la correlación entre la radiometría de la imagen corregida atmosféricamente y la radiometría de campo, realizado con las dos coberturas que presentaron mayor dificultad de separación espectral: Cafetal y Matorral, resulto que la correlación es alta, con un R2 en ambos casos de 0.99, lo que comprobó la hipótesis planteada. Y se concluyó que las firmas espectrales sirven para calibrar imágenes sin correcciones radiométricas.Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Vol.7(1) 2014, 76-96

TheFermiGBM gamma-ray burst time-resolved spectral catalog: brightest bursts in the first four years

We aim to obtain high-quality time-resolved spectral fits of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed by the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. We perform time-resolved spectral analysis with high temporal and spectral resolution of the brightest bursts observed by Fermi GBM in its first 4 years of mission. We present the complete catalog containing 1,491 spectra from 81 bursts with high spectral and temporal resolution. Distributions of parameters, statistics of the parameter populations, parameter-parameter and parameter-uncertainty correlations, and their exact values are obtained and presented as main results in this catalog. We report a criterion that is robust enough to automatically distinguish between different spectral evolutionary trends between bursts. We also search for plausible blackbody emission components and find that only 3 bursts (36 spectra in total) show evidence of a pure Planck function. It is observed that the averaged time-resolved low-energy power-law index and peak energy are slightly harder than the time-integrated values. Time-resolved spectroscopic results should be used when interpreting physics from the observed spectra, instead of the time-integrated results.

The sharpness of gamma-ray burst prompt emission spectra

We aim to obtain a measure of the curvature of time-resolved spectra that can be compared directly to theory. This tests the ability of models such as synchrotron emission to explain the peaks or breaks of GBM prompt emission spectra. We take the burst sample from the official Fermi GBM GRB time-resolved spectral catalog. We re-fit all spectra with a measured peak or break energy in the catalog best-fit models in various energy ranges, which cover the curvature around the spectral peak or break, resulting in a total of 1,113 spectra being analysed. We compute the sharpness angles under the peak or break of the triangle constructed under the model fit curves and compare to the values obtained from various representative emission models: blackbody, single-electron synchrotron, synchrotron emission from a Maxwellian or power-law electron distribution. We find that 35% of the time-resolved spectra are inconsistent with the single-electron synchrotron function, and 91% are inconsistent with the Maxwellian synchrotron function. The single temperature, single emission time and location blackbody function is found to be sharper than all the spectra. No general evolutionary trend of the sharpness angle is observed, neither per burst nor for the whole population. It is found that the limiting case, a single temperature Maxwellian synchrotron function, can only contribute up to $58^{+23}_{-18}$% of the peak flux. Our results show that even the sharpest but non-realistic case, the single-electron synchrotron function, cannot explain a large fraction of the observed GRB prompt spectra. Because of the fact that any combination of physically possible synchrotron spectra added together will always further broaden the spectrum, emission mechanisms other than optically thin synchrotron radiation are likely required in a full explanation of the spectral peaks or breaks of the GRB prompt emission phase.

The first data release (DR1) of the LAMOST regular survey

The Large sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) general survey is a spectroscopic survey that will eventually cover approximately half of the celestial sphere and collect 10 million spectra of stars, galaxies and QSOs. Objects in both the pilot survey and the first year regular survey are included in the LAMOST DR1. The pilot survey started in October 2011 and ended in June 2012, and the data have been released to the public as the LAMOST Pilot Data Release in August 2012. The regular survey started in September 2012, and completed its first year of operation in June 2013. The LAMOST DR1 includes a total of 1202 plates containing 2 955 336 spectra, of which 1 790 879 spectra have observed signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ≥ 10. All data with SNR ≥ 2 are formally released as LAMOST DR1 under the LAMOST data policy. This data release contains a total of 2 204 696 spectra, of which 1 944 329 are stellar spectra, 12 082 are galaxy spectra and 5017 are quasars. The DR1 not only includes spectra, but also three stellar catalogs with measured parameters: late A,FGK-type stars with high quality spectra (1061 918 entries), A-type stars (100 073 entries), and M-type stars (121 522 entries). This paper introduces the survey design, the observational and instrumental limitations, data reduction and analysis, and some caveats. A description of the FITS structure of spectral files and parameter catalogs is also provided.

THz extended spectrum of the monodeuterated methyl formate (DCOOCH3)

Context. Laboratory spectral recordings and an accurate molecular spectral analysis of any potential interstellar molecule are essential for generating a complete spectroscopic line list. This permits predicting the frequencies and intensities of any transition so that subsequently, it can be identified in the interstellar medium. Aims. Our analysis of DCOOCH3 aims to provide a comprehensive spectral catalog that encompasses as much as possible the frequency coverage of the new-generation far-IR and submillimeter wave observation facilities. Methods. We newly measured the rotational spectrum of DCOOCH3 in the laboratory of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the frequency range of 0.85 to 1.5 THz. We jointly analyzed the new data with literature data using the rho axis method, which is a tool developed for the spectral analysis of molecules with large-amplitude internal CH3 rotors. Results. We fit 27 spectroscopic constants of DCOOCH3 to 3763 transitions with highest values of J = 69 and Ka = 36 of the ground torsional state with a standard (unitless) deviation of 0.97. With respect to previous work, this is a significantly better result that was obtained with 2060 more transitions, and we also achieved a better accuracy for the new parameter values.

Search for strong gravitational lensing effect in the current GRB data of BATSE

Because gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) trace the high-z Universe, there is an appreciable probability for a GRB to be gravitational lensed by galaxies in the universe. Herein we consider the gravitational lensing effect of GRBs contributed by the dark matter halos in galaxies. Assuming that all halos have the singular isothermal sphere (SIS) mass profile in the mass range $10^{10} h^{-1} M_\odot < M < 2\times 10^{13} h^{-1}M_\odot $ and all GRB samples follow the intrinsic redshift distribution and luminosity function derived from the Swift LGRBs sample, we calculated the gravitational lensing probability in BATSE, Swift/BAT and Fermi/GBM GRBs, respectively. With an derived probability result in BATSE GRBs, we searched for lensed GRB pairs in the BATSE 5B GRB Spectral catalog. The search did not find any convincing gravitationally lensed events. We discuss our result and future observations for GRB lensing observation.

Low-Resolution Spectrum of the Zodiacal Light with the AKARI InfraRed Camera

We present near- and mid-infrared zodiacal light spectra obtained with the AKARI Infra-Red Camera (IRC). A catalog of 278 spectra of the diffuse sky covering a wide range of Galactic and ecliptic latitudes was constructed. The wavelength range of this catalog is $1.8-5.3 \mu \textrm m $ with a wavelength resolution of $\lambda/\Delta\lambda \sim20$. Advanced reduction methods specialized for the slit spectroscopy of diffuse sky spectra have been developed for constructing the spectral catalog. Based on a comparison analysis of spectra collected in different seasons and ecliptic latitudes, we confirmed that the spectral shape of the scattered component and the thermal emission component of the zodiacal light in our wavelength range does not show any dependence on location and time, but the relative brightness between them varies with location. We also confirmed that the color temperature of the zodiacal emission at $3-5 \mu \textrm m $ is $300\pm 10 \textrm k$ at any ecliptic latitude. This emission is expected to originate from sub-micron dust particles in interplanetary space.