Steward Observatory Research Articles

Multiwavelength behaviour of the blazar OJ 248 from radio to γ-rays★

We present an analysis of the multiwavelength behaviour of the blazar OJ 248 at z = 0.939 in the period 2006–2013. We use low-energy data (optical, near-infrared, and radio) obtained by 21 observatories participating in the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST)-AGILE Support Program of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope, as well as data from the Swift (optical–UV and X-rays) and Fermi (γ-rays) satellites, to study flux and spectral variability and correlations among emissions in different bands. We take into account the effect of absorption by the Damped Lyman α intervening system at z = 0.525. Two major outbursts were observed in 2006–2007 and in 2012–2013 at optical and near-IR wavelengths, while in the high-frequency radio light curves prominent radio outbursts are visible peaking at the end of 2010 and beginning of 2013, revealing a complex radio–optical correlation. Cross-correlation analysis suggests a delay of the optical variations after the γ-ray ones of about a month, which is a peculiar behaviour in blazars. We also analyse optical polarimetric and spectroscopic data. The average polarization percentage P is less than 3 per cent, but it reaches ∼19 per cent during the early stage of the 2012–2013 outburst. A vague correlation of P with brightness is observed. There is no preferred electric vector polarization angle and during the outburst the linear polarization vector shows wide rotations in both directions, suggesting a complex behaviour/structure of the jet and possible turbulence. The analysis of 140 optical spectra acquired at the Steward Observatory reveals a strong Mg ii broad emission line with an essentially stable flux of 6.2 × 10− 15 erg cm− 2 s− 1 and a full width at half-maximum of 2053 km s− 1.

THE SMARTS MULTI-EPOCH OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY ATLAS (SaMOSA): AN ANALYSIS OF EMISSION LINE VARIABILITY IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE FERMI BLAZARS

We present multi-epoch optical spectroscopy of seven southern Fermi-monitored blazars from 2008 - 2013 using the Small and Medium Aperture Research Telescope System (SMARTS), with supplemental spectroscopy and polarization data from the Steward Observatory. We find that the emission lines are much less variable than the continuum; 4 of 7 blazars had no detectable emission line variability over the 5 years. This is consistent with photoionization primarily by an accretion disk, allowing us to use the lines as a probe of disk activity. Comparing optical emission line flux with Fermi $\gamma$-ray flux and optical polarized flux, we investigate whether relativistic jet variability is related to the accretion flow. In general, we see no such dependence, suggesting the jet variability is likely caused by internal processes like turbulence or shock acceleration rather than a variable accretion rate. However, three sources showed statistically significant emission line flares in close temporal proximity to very large Fermi $\gamma$-ray flares. While we do not have sufficient emission line data to quantitatively assess their correlation with the $\gamma$-ray flux, it appears that in some cases, the jet might provide additional photoionizing flux to the broad line region, which implies some gamma-rays are produced within the broad line region, at least for these large flares.

WIDE FIELD MULTIBAND IMAGING OF LOW REDSHIFT QUASAR ENVIRONMENTS

We present photometry of the large scale environments of a sample of twelve broad line AGN with $0.06 < z < 0.37$ from deep images in the SDSS $u$, $g$, $r$, and $i$ filters taken with the 90Prime prime focus camera on the Steward Observatory Bok Telescope. We measure galaxy clustering around these AGN using two standard techniques: correlation amplitude (B$_{gq}$) and the two point correlation function. We find average correlation amplitudes for the 10 radio quiet objects in the sample equal to (9$\pm$18, 144$\pm$114, -39$\pm$56, 295$\pm$260) Mpc$^{1.77}$ in ($u$, $g$, $r$, $i$), all consistent with the expectation from galaxy clustering. Using a ratio of the galaxy-quasar cross-correlation function to the galaxy autocorrelation function, we calculate the relative bias of galaxies and AGN, $b_{gq}$. The bias in the $u$ band, $b_{gq}=3.08\pm0.51$ is larger compared to that calculated in the other bands, but it does not correlate with AGN luminosity, black hole mass, or AGN activity via the luminosity of the [OIII] emission line. Thus ongoing nuclear accretion activity is not reflected in the large scale environments from $\sim$10 h$^{-1}$ kpc to $\sim$0.5 h$^{-1}$ Mpc and may indicate a non-merger mode of AGN activity and/or a significant delay between galaxy mergers and nuclear activity in this sample of mostly radio quiet quasars.

THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY REVERBERATION MAPPING PROJECT: TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping project (SDSS-RM) is a dedicated multi-object RM experiment that has spectroscopically monitored a sample of 849 broad-line quasars in a single 7 deg$^2$ field with the SDSS-III BOSS spectrograph. The RM quasar sample is flux-limited to i_psf=21.7 mag, and covers a redshift range of 0.1<z<4.5. Optical spectroscopy was performed during 2014 Jan-Jul dark/grey time, with an average cadence of ~4 days, totaling more than 30 epochs. Supporting photometric monitoring in the g and i bands was conducted at multiple facilities including the CFHT and the Steward Observatory Bok telescopes in 2014, with a cadence of ~2 days and covering all lunar phases. The RM field (RA, DEC=14:14:49.00, +53:05:00.0) lies within the CFHT-LS W3 field, and coincides with the Pan-STARRS 1 (PS1) Medium Deep Field MD07, with three prior years of multi-band PS1 light curves. The SDSS-RM 6-month baseline program aims to detect time lags between the quasar continuum and broad line region (BLR) variability on timescales of up to several months (in the observed frame) for ~10% of the sample, and to anchor the time baseline for continued monitoring in the future to detect lags on longer timescales and at higher redshift. SDSS-RM is the first major program to systematically explore the potential of RM for broad-line quasars at z>0.3, and will investigate the prospects of RM with all major broad lines covered in optical spectroscopy. SDSS-RM will provide guidance on future multi-object RM campaigns on larger scales, and is aiming to deliver more than tens of BLR lag detections for a homogeneous sample of quasars. We describe the motivation, design and implementation of this program, and outline the science impact expected from the resulting data for RM and general quasar science.

A DEEP PROPER MOTION CATALOG WITHIN THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY FOOTPRINT

A new proper motion catalog is presented, combining the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) with second epoch observations in the r band within a portion of the SDSS imaging footprint. The new observations were obtained with the 90prime camera on the Steward Observatory Bok 90 inch telescope, and the Array Camera on the U.S. Naval Observatory, Flagstaff Station, 1.3 meter telescope. The catalog covers 1098 square degrees to r = 22.0, an additional 1521 square degrees to r = 20.9, plus a further 488 square degrees of lesser quality data. Statistical errors in the proper motions range from 5 mas/year at the bright end to 15 mas/year at the faint end, for a typical epoch difference of 6 years. Systematic errors are estimated to be roughly 1 mas/year for the Array Camera data, and as much as 2 - 4 mas/year for the 90prime data (though typically less). The catalog also includes a second epoch of r band photometry.

Multiwavelength variability analysis of the FSRQ 3C 279

AbstractWe present a multifrequency analysis of the variability in the flat-spectrum radio quasar 3C 279 from 2008 to 2014. Our multiwavelength dataset includes gamma-ray data from Fermi/LAT (Abdo et al. 2009), observations in 1mm from SMA (Gurwell et al. 2007), Near Infrared from OAGH (Carramiñana &amp; Carrasco 2009) and SMARTS (Bonning et al. 2012); optical V band from the Steward Observatory (Smith et al. 2009) and SMARTS; optical spectra from OAGH (Patiño-Álvarez et al. 2013) and the Steward Observatory; and polarization spectra from the Steward Observatory. The light curves are shown in Fig. 1. Six out of seven optical activity periods identified within our dataset show clear counterparts in mm, NIR and gamma-rays, however, the late 2011 - early 2012 optical flare does not have a counterpart in the GeV regime. In this contribution, we discuss the flaring evolution of 3C 279 and speculate about the production of the anomalous activity period.

Multi-wavelength study of Mrk 421 TeV flare observed with TACTIC telescope in February 2010

We present results from multi-wavelength study of intense flaring activity from a high frequency peaked BL Lac object Mrk 421. The source was observed in its flaring state on February 16, 2010 with the TACTIC at energies above 1.5TeV. Near simultaneous multi-wavelength data were obtained from high energy (MeV–GeV) γ-ray observations with Fermi–LAT, X-ray observations by the Swift and MAXI satellites, optical V-band observation by SPOL at Steward Observatory and radio 15GHz observation at OVRO 40 meter-telescope. We have performed a detailed spectral and temporal analysis of TACTIC, Fermi–LAT and Swift–XRT observations of Mrk 421 during February 10–23, 2010 (MJD 55237–55250). The flaring activity of the source is studied by investigating the properties of daily light curves from radio to TeV energy range and we present the correlation and variability analysis in each energy band. The TeV flare detected by TACTIC on February 16, 2010 is well correlated with the activity in lower energy bands. The differential energy spectrum of the source, in the energy range 1.5–11TeV, as measured by TACTIC on this night is described by a power law (dN/dE∝E-Γ) with spectral index Γ=2.6±0.3. After accounting for absorption of TeV photons by low energy extragalactic background light photons via pair production, the intrinsic TeV spectrum reveals a power law index of 2.3±0.3. Finally the broad band spectral energy distribution of the source in flaring state is reproduced using a simple emission model involving synchrotron and synchrotron self Compton processes. The obtained parameters are then used to understand the energetics of the source during the flaring episode.

Dish-based high concentration PV system with Köhler optics.

We present work at the Steward Observatory Solar Lab on a high concentration photovoltaic system in which sunlight focused by a single large paraboloidal mirror powers many small triple-junction cells. The optical system is of the XRX-Köhler type, comprising the primary reflector (X) and a ball lens (R) at the focus that reimages the primary reflector onto an array of small reflectors (X) that apportion the light to the cells. We present a design methodology that provides generous tolerance to mis-pointing, uniform illumination across individual cells, minimal optical loss and even distribution between cells, for efficient series connection. An operational prototype has been constructed with a 3.3m x 3.3m square primary reflector of 2m focal length powering 36 actively cooled triple-junction cells at 1200x concentration (geometric). The measured end-to-end system conversion efficiency is 28%, including the parasitic loss of the active cooling system. Efficiency ~32% is projected for the next system.

The TeV blazar Markarian 421 at the highest spatial resolution

We report the results obtained for the AGN Markarian 421 by model-fitting the data in the visibility plane, studing the proper motion of jet components, the light curve, and the spectral index of the jet features. We compare the radio data with optical light curves obtained at the Steward Observatory, considering also the optical polarization information. Mrk 421 has a bright nucleus and a one-sided jet extending towards the north-west for a few parsecs. The model-fits show that brightness distribution is well described using 6-7 circular Gaussian components, four of which are reliably identified at all epochs; all components are effectively stationary except for component D, at ~0.4 mas from the core, whose motion is however subluminal. Analysis of the light curve shows two different states, with the source being brighter and more variable in the first half of 2011 than in the second half. The highest flux density is reached in February. A comparison with the optical data reveals an increase of the V magnitude and of the fractional polarization simultaneous with the enhancement of the radio activity.

The awakening of BL Lacertae: observations by Fermi, Swift and the GASP-WEBT★

Since the launch of the Fermi satellite, BL Lacertae has been moderately active at gamma-rays and optical frequencies until May 2011, when the source started a series of strong flares. The exceptional optical sampling achieved by the GLAST-AGILE Support Program (GASP) of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) in collaboration with the Steward Observatory allows us to perform a detailed comparison with the daily gamma-ray observations by Fermi. Discrete correlation analysis between the optical and gamma-ray emission reveals correlation with a time lag of 0 +- 1 d, which suggests cospatiality of the corresponding jet emitting regions. A better definition of the time lag is hindered by the daily gaps in the sampling of the extremely fast flux variations. In general, optical flares present more structure and develop on longer time scales than corresponding gamma-ray flares. Observations at X-rays and at millimetre wavelengths reveal a common trend, which suggests that the region producing the mm and X-ray radiation is located downstream from the optical and gamma-ray-emitting zone in the jet. The mean optical degree of polarisation slightly decreases over the considered period and in general it is higher when the flux is lower. The optical electric vector polarisation angle (EVPA) shows a preferred orientation of about 15 deg, nearly aligned with the radio core EVPA and mean jet direction. Oscillations around it increase during the 2011-2012 outburst. We investigate the effects of a geometrical interpretation of the long-term flux variability on the polarisation. A helical magnetic field model predicts an evolution of the mean polarisation that is in reasonable agreement with the observations. These can be fully explained by introducing slight variations in the compression factor in a transverse shock waves model.

The case of theKeplerDBAV star J1929+4447

A first pulsating white dwarf has been discovered recently in the Kepler field of view(1). This star, catalogued as GALEX J192904.6+444708 or KIC 8626021, is a He-atmosphere white dwarf of the V777 Her (DBV) type. It appears to be the hottest of its class and, as such, has the potential to be a key object in our understanding of the DB gap problem. We present here a seismological analysis of this star and a look at his previous history. 1. CONSTRAINTS FROM SPECTROSCOPY A good S/N ≈ 50 optical spectrum of the rather faint target (Kp = 18.42) was kindly obtained by our collaborator Betsy Green at the Steward Observatory. The resulting fit of our detailed analysis of that spectrum is shown in our Fig. 1. Our fit gives values of Teff = 28,480K and log g = 7.89, discrepant in temperature with the original estimates from (1 )( Teff = 24.950K and log g = 7.91), but consistent with the expected period-luminosity relationship, given that the observed pulsation periods are the shortest ever found in a pulsating DB star. These estimates make that star the hottest star of the V777 Her type. However, our detection of a trace of hydrogen makes it formally a DBAV star. 2. WHAT DIRECT ASTEROSEISMOLOGICAL METHODS TELL US We use our standard direct method that consists of searching in parameter space the model with pulsation periods that best fit the observed periods. We define such a model as one that minimizes the goodness-of-fit function given by 2 = N obs i=1 (Pobs − Pth), where Pobs is an observed period and Pth is the corresponding theoretical period obtained from parametrized static models. Our results (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) are presented as Teff vs. log g maps, where the obtained 2 values for each given Teff − log g pair needed to build the map have been optimized independently for the other structural parameters. Such computations are really demanding in terms of computing power: over 60 million stellar models have already been computed during the course of this ongoing investigation. Fortunately, our group has access to a dedicated cluster of 320 processor nodes. We have first taken a look at two hypotheses about the white dwarf structure: A canonical DB white dwarf or a double-layered structure arising from a PG1159 star progenitor. In the first case, we have looked at the simplest possible structure for our white dwarf model: An onion-like structure composed of a C/O core wrapped by an He layer. Figure 2 gives the results for the entire DBV range of possible values for Teff and log g. All points (2501) used to produce the map have

Variability of the blazar 4C 38.41 (B3 1633+382) from GHz frequencies to GeV energies

The quasar-type blazar 4C 38.41 (B3 1633+382) experienced a large outburst in 2011, which was detected throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We present the results of low-energy multifrequency monitoring by the GASP project of the WEBT consortium and collaborators, as well as those of spectropolarimetric/spectrophotometric monitoring at the Steward Observatory. We also analyse high-energy observations of the Swift and Fermi satellites. In the optical-UV band, several results indicate that there is a contribution from a QSO-like emission component, in addition to both variable and polarised jet emission. The unpolarised emission component is likely thermal radiation from the accretion disc that dilutes the jet polarisation. We estimate its brightness to be R(QSO) ~ 17.85 - 18 and derive the intrinsic jet polarisation degree. We find no clear correlation between the optical and radio light curves, while the correlation between the optical and \gamma-ray flux apparently fades in time, likely because of an increasing optical to \gamma-ray flux ratio. As suggested for other blazars, the long-term variability of 4C 38.41 can be interpreted in terms of an inhomogeneous bent jet, where different emitting regions can change their alignment with respect to the line of sight, leading to variations in the Doppler factor \delta. Under the hypothesis that in the period 2008-2011 all the \gamma-ray and optical variability on a one-week timescale were due to changes in \delta, this would range between ~ 7 and ~ 21. If the variability were caused by changes in the viewing angle \theta\ only, then \theta\ would go from ~ 2.6 degr to ~ 5 degr. Variations in the viewing angle would also account for the dependence of the polarisation degree on the source brightness in the framework of a shock-in-jet model.

METHANE AND NITROGEN ABUNDANCES ON PLUTO AND ERIS

ABSTRACT We present spectra of Eris from the MMT 6.5 m Telescope and Red Channel Spectrograph (5700–9800 Å, 5 Å pixel−1) on Mt. Hopkins, AZ, and of Pluto from the Steward Observatory 2.3 m Telescope and Boller and Chivens Spectrograph (7100–9400 Å, 2 Å pixel−1) on Kitt Peak, AZ. In addition, we present laboratory transmission spectra of methane–nitrogen and methane–argon ice mixtures. By anchoring our analysis in methane and nitrogen solubilities in one another as expressed in the phase diagram of Prokhvatilov &amp; Yantsevich, and comparing methane bands in our Eris and Pluto spectra and methane bands in our laboratory spectra of methane and nitrogen ice mixtures, we find Eris' bulk methane and nitrogen abundances are ∼10% and ∼90% and Pluto's bulk methane and nitrogen abundances are ∼3% and ∼97%. Such abundances for Pluto are consistent with values reported in the literature. It appears that the bulk volatile composition of Eris is similar to the bulk volatile composition of Pluto. Both objects appear to be dominated by nitrogen ice. Our analysis also suggests, unlike previous work reported in the literature, that the methane and nitrogen stoichiometry is constant with depth into the surface of Eris. Finally, we point out that our Eris spectrum is also consistent with a laboratory ice mixture consisting of 40% methane and 60% argon. Although we cannot rule out an argon-rich surface, it seems more likely that nitrogen is the dominant species on Eris because the nitrogen ice 2.15 μm band is seen in spectra of Pluto and Triton.

A major observational campaign on the hybrid pulsator HS0702+6043

HS0702+6043 (DW Lyn) is one of the very few known sdB pulsators which exhibit both pressure- and gravity-mode oscillations. Given its high potential for asteroseismology, we carried out an extensive campaign in integrated light photometry at the Steward Observatory 1.6 m Kuiper Telescope using the new CCD camera Mont4K, a joint venture between the Universite de Montreal and the University of Arizona. Over a period starting November 1st 2007 up to March 14th 2008, we were able to gather some 424.5 hours of useful data. To our knowledge, never before a pulsating sdB star has been observed at such high frequency resolution and sensitivity. We present the results of a preliminary analysis of this unique data set.

STELLAR ASTROPHYSICS WITH A DISPERSED FOURIER TRANSFORM SPECTROGRAPH. I. INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION AND ORBITS OF SINGLE-LINED SPECTROSCOPIC BINARIES

We have designed and constructed a second-generation version of the Dispersed Fourier Transform Spectrograph, or dFTS. This instrument combines a spectral interferometer with a dispersive spectrograph to provide high-accuracy, high-resolution optical spectra of stellar targets. The new version, dFTS2, is based upon the design of our prototype, with several modifications to improve the system throughput and performance. We deployed dFTS2 to the Steward Observatory 2.3-meter Bok Telescope from June 2007 to June 2008, and undertook an observing program on spectroscopic binary stars, with the goal of constraining the velocity amplitude K of the binary orbits with 0.1% accuracy, a significant improvement over most of the orbits reported in the literature. We present results for radial velocity reference stars and orbit solutions for single-lined spectroscopic binaries.

A NEW, BRIGHT, SHORT-PERIOD, EMISSION LINE BINARY IN OPHIUCHUS

The 11th magnitude star LS IV-08°3 has been classified previously as an OB star in the Luminous Stars survey, or alternatively as a hot subdwarf. It is actually a binary star. We present spectroscopy, spectroscopic orbital elements, and time-series photometry from observations made at the Kitt Peak National Observatory 2.1 m, Steward Observatory 2.3 m, MDM Observatory 1.3 m and 2.4 m, Hobby-Eberly 9.2 m, and Michigan State University 0.6 m telescopes. The star exhibits emission of varying strength in the cores of H and He I absorption lines. Emission is also present at 4686 A (He II) and near 4640/4650 A (N III/C III). Time-series spectroscopy collected from 2005 July to 2007 June shows coherent, periodic radial velocity variations of the Hα line, which we interpret as orbital motion with a period of 0.1952894(10) days. High-resolution spectra show that there are two emission components, one broad and one narrow, moving in antiphase, as might arise from an accretion disk and the irradiated face of the mass donor star. Less coherent, low-amplitude photometric variability is also present on a timescale similar to the orbital period. Diffuse interstellar bands indicate considerable reddening, which however is consistent with a distance of ~100-200 pc. The star is the likely counterpart of a weak ROSAT X-ray source, whose properties are consistent with accretion in a cataclysmic variable (CV) binary system. We classify LS IV-08°3 as a new member of the UX UMa subclass of CV stars.

A high-Strehl low-resolution optical imager (BESSEL): Detection of a 0.7 λ/ D separation binary from the ground

We have constructed a high-speed image stabilization system, BESSEL, which mounts to the 8-in. refractive telescope coupled to the ray white telescope at steward observatory. The high-speed tip/tilt mirror platform is controlled by an Andor electron multiplication EMCCD enabling wavefront correction at a rate exceeding 1 kHz. BESSEL achieves on-sky Strehl ratios of 98–99% at λ = 800 nm when the telescope aperture is stopped down to half the Fried parameter (typically D = 25.4 mm, where D is the diameter of the effective telescope aperture). Utilizing high Strehls and the technique of roll subtraction enabled BESSEL to resolve the binary, ADS 10418AB (more commonly known as α Her), with separation of only 0.71 λ/ D and a delta magnitude of ∼3 mag at 800 nm. In addition, Arcturus was observed with BESSEL to explore a relatively untested region of Strehl versus D/ r 0 parameter space in the optical, specifically at small (∼0.5 D/ r 0). We find that in this regime space quality, very high Strehl (∼99%), optical imaging can be obtained from the ground when D/ r 0 < 0.5 as one approaches the inner scale of turbulence. Because of BESSEL’s demonstrated high Strehls, it is an ideal platform for inexpensive, initial, on-sky characterization of space-based coronagraphs, for which it will be used in the near future.

The Search for Distant Objects in the Solar System Using Spacewatch

We have completed a low-inclination ecliptic survey for distant and slow-moving bright objects in the outer solar system. This survey used data taken over 34 months by the University of Arizona's Spacewatch Project based at Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak. Spacewatch revisits the same sky area every three to seven nights in order to track cohorts of main-belt asteroids. This survey used a multiple-night detection scheme to extend our rate sensitivity to as low as 0.012 arcsec hr-1. When combined with our plate scale and flux sensitivity (V ≈ 21), this survey was sensitive to Mars-sized objects out to 300 AU and Jupiter-sized planets out to 1200 AU. The survey covered approximately 8000 deg2 of raw sky, mostly within 10° of the ecliptic but away from the Galactic center. An automated motion-detection program was modified for this multinight search and processed approximately 2 terabytes of imagery into motion candidates. This survey discovered 2003 MW12, currently the tenth largest classical Kuiper Belt object. In addition, several known large Kuiper Belt objects and Centaurs were detected, and the detections were used with a model of our observational biases to make population estimates as a check on our survey efficiency. We found no large objects at low inclinations despite having sufficient sensitivity in both flux and rate to see them out as far as 1200 AU. For low inclinations, we can rule out more than one to two Pluto-sized objects out to 100 AU and one to two Mars-sized objects to 200 AU.

Rotation and color properties of the nucleus of Comet 2P/Encke

We present results from CCD observations of Comet 2P/Encke acquired at Steward Observatory's 2.3 m Bok Telescope on Kitt Peak. The observations were carried out in October 2002 when the comet was near aphelion. Rotational lightcurves in B-, V-, and R-filters were acquired over two nights of observations, and analysed to study the physical and color properties of the nucleus. The average apparent R-filter magnitude across both nights corresponds to a mean effective radius of 3.95 ± 0.06 km , and this value is similar to that found for the V- and B-filters. Taking the observed brightness range, we obtain a / b ⩾ 1.44 ± 0.06 for the semi-axial ratio of Encke's nucleus. Applying the axial ratio to the R-filter photometry gives nucleus semi-axes of [ 3.60 ± 0.09 ] × [ 5.20 ± 0.13 ] km , using the empirically-derived albedo and phase coefficient. No coma or tail was seen despite deep imaging of the comet, and flux limits from potential unresolved coma do not exceed a few percent of the total measured flux, for standard coma models. This is consistent with many other published data sets taken when the comet was near aphelion. Our data includes the first detailed time series multi-color measurements of a cometary nucleus, and significant color variations were seen on October 3, though not repeated on October 4. The average color indices across both nights are: ( V − R ) = 0.39 ± 0.06 and ( B − V ) = 0.73 ± 0.06 ( R ¯ = 19.76 ± 0.03 ). We analysed the R-filter time-series photometry using the method of Harris et al. [Harris, A.W., Young, J.W., Bowell, E., Martin, L.J., Millis, R.L., Poutanen, M., Scaltriti, F., Zappala, V., Schober, H.J., Debehogne, H., Zeigler, K.W., 1989. Icarus 77, 171–186] to constrain the rotation period of the comet's nucleus, and find that a period of ∼ 11.45 h will satisfy the data, however the errors bars are large. We have successfully linked our data with the September 2002 data from Fernández et al. [Fernández, Y.R., Lowry, S.C., Weissman, P.R., Mueller, B.E.A., Samarasinha, N.H., Belton, M.J.S., Meech, K.J., 2005. Icarus 175, 194–214]—taken just 2–3 weeks before the current data set—and we show that a rotation period of just over 11 h works extremely well for the combined data set. The resulting best-fit period is 11.083 ± 0.003 h , consistent with the Fernández et al. value.

The rapidly pulsating subdwarf B star PG 1325+101

We present a detailed analysis of the rapidly pulsating subdwarf B star (or EC14026 star) PG 1325+101. This analysis exploits the outcome of dedicated multisite observations using time-series photometry that revealed the presence of (at least) 15 periodicities in the luminosity modulation of this star (Silvotti et al. 2006, A&A, 459, 557, Paper I). Based on high-S/N, medium-resolution spectra obtained at the Steward Observatory's 2.3 m Telescope and at the 6.5 m MMT Telescope, new NLTE spectroscopic derivations of the atmospheric parameters of PG 1325+101 are presented. The mean values of T_eff = 35 050 ± 220 K, log g=5.81 ± 0.04, and log N(He)/N(H) = -1.70± 0.02 are in agreement with previous determinations, but are significantly more accurate. These improved spectroscopic parameters are essential for isolating a unique asteroseismic model solution for the observed pulsation spectrum of PG 1325+101. Using the forward approach, our combined spectroscopic and asteroseismic analysis leads objectively to the identification of the (k, ?) indices of the 12 independent modes observed in this star, and to the determination of its structural parameters. The periods correspond to low-order acoustic modes with adjacent values of k and having degrees ?=0-4. They define a band of unstable modes, in agreement with nonadiabatic pulsation theory. The average dispersion achieved between the observed periods and the periods of the corresponding theoretical modes of the optimal model is only 0.46% (? 0.54 s), comparable to the results from similar analyses of other EC14026 stars analysed to date. The inferred structural parameters of PG 1325+101 are Teff= 35 050 ± 220 K, log g=5.811±0.004, log M{env}/M*=-4.18±0.10, M*=0.50±0.01 M? (i.e., close to the canonical mass of extreme horizontal branch stars), R/R?=0.145±0.002, and L/L?=28.3±1.5. In addition, by combining detailed model atmosphere calculations with V=14.019±0.012, we estimate that this star has an absolute visual magnitude M_V=4.45±0.04 and is located at a distance of d=820±21 pc. Finally, the presence of fine structure in the observed period spectrum suggests a rotation period of P=1.6±0.2 days, leading to an equatorial velocity of Veq=4.6±0.6 km s-1. Hence, asteroseismic evidence suggests that PG 1325+101 is a slow rotator, a conclusion reinforced by the limit V sin i < 20-30 km s-1, which we determined by modeling the He I 4471 line in our 1 A-resolution MMT spectrum.