STIS Spectra Research Articles

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPEFUV SPECTRA OF THE POST-COMMON-ENVELOPE HYADES BINARY V471 Tauri

We have carried out an analysis of the HST STIS archival spectra of the magnetic white dwarf in the Hyades eclipsing-spectroscopic, post-common envelope binary V471 Tauri, time resolved on the orbit and on the X-ray rotational phase of the magnetic white dwarf. An HST STIS spectrum obtained during primary eclipse reveals a host of transition region/chromospheric emission features including N V (1238, 1242), Si IV (1393, 1402), C IV (1548, 1550) and He II (1640). The spectroscopic characteristics and emission line fluxes of the transition region/chromosphere of the very active, rapidly rotating, K2V component of V471 Tauri, are compared with the emission characteristics of fast rotating K dwarfs in young open clusters. We have detected a number of absorption features associated with metals accreted onto the photosphere of the magnetic white dwarf from which we derive radial velocities. All of the absorption features are modulated on the 555s rotation period of the white dwarf with maximum line strength at rotational phase 0.0 when the primary magnetic accretion region is facing the observer. The photospheric absorption features show no clear evidence of Zeeman splitting and no evidence of a correlation between their variations in strength and orbital phase. We report clear evidence of a secondary accretion pole. We derive C and Si abundances from the Si IV and C III features. All other absorption lines are either interstellar or associated with a region above the white dwarf and/or with coronal mass ejection events illuminated as they pass in front of the white dwarf.

Methane on Uranus: The case for a compact CH 4 cloud layer at low latitudes and a severe CH 4 depletion at high-latitudes based on re-analysis of Voyager occultation measurements and STIS spectroscopy

Lindal et al. (Lindal, G.F., Lyons, J.R., Sweetnam, D.N., Eshleman, V.R., Hinson, D.P. [1987]. J. Geophys. Res. 92 (11), 14987–15001) presented a range of temperature and methane profiles for Uranus that were consistent with 1986 Voyager radio occultation measurements of refractivity versus altitude. A localized refractivity slope variation near 1.2 bars was interpreted to be the result of a condensed methane cloud layer. However, models fit to near-IR spectra found particle concentrations much deeper in the atmosphere, in the 1.5–3 bar range (Sromovsky, L.A., Irwin, P.G.J., Fry, P.M. [2006]. Icarus 182, 577–593; Sromovsky, L.A., Fry, P.M. [2010]. Icarus 210, 211–229; Irwin, P.G.J., Teanby, N.A., Davis, G.R. [2010]. Icarus 208, 913–926), and a recent analysis of STIS spectra argued for a model in which aerosol particles formed diffusely distributed hazes, with no compact condensation layer (Karkoschka, E., Tomasko, M. [2009]. Icarus 202, 287–309). To try to reconcile these results, we reanalyzed the occultation observations with the He volume mixing ratio reduced from 0.15 to 0.116, which is near the edge of the 0.033 uncertainty range given by Conrath et al. (Conrath, B., Hanel, R., Gautier, D., Marten, A., Lindal, G. [1987]. J. Geophys. Res. 92 (11), 15003–15010). This allowed us to obtain saturated mixing ratios within the putative cloud layer and to reach above-cloud and deep methane mixing ratios compatible with STIS spectral constraints. Using a 5-layer vertical aerosol model with two compact cloud layers in the 1–3 bar region, we find that the best fit pressure for the upper compact layer is virtually identical to the pressure range inferred from the occultation analysis for a methane mixing ratio near 4% at 5°S. This strongly argues that Uranus does indeed have a compact methane cloud layer. In addition, our cloud model can fit the latitudinal variations in spectra between 30°S and 20°N, using the same profiles of temperature and methane mixing ratio. But closer to the pole, the model fails to provide accurate fits without introducing an increasingly strong upper tropospheric depletion of methane at increased latitudes, in rough agreement with the trend identified by Karkoschka and Tomasko (Karkoschka, E., Tomasko, M. [2009]. Icarus 202, 287–309).

Atmospheric parameters of the B-supergiant HD 198478 from the UV spectra

We determined atmospheric parameters of the Galactic early B-supergiant HD 198478 (55 Cyg) from the UV silicon lines taken from the high-resolution 1150–1980 A IUE spectra. TLUSTY numerical code was used to model the stellar atmosphere and to determine the temperature and surface gravity assuming a non-LTE plane parallel hydrostatic stellar atmosphere with microturbulence. The synthesized spectra were broadened by the IUE instrumental profile, rotational and macroturbulent velocity with ROTIN numerical code. The silicon 1264 A, 1309 A, 1312 A, 1417 A and 1294–1303 A multiplet lines of different stages of ionization (Si II and Si III) and Balmer Hδ 4101 A line were modeled, leading to the temperature, surface gravity, rotational and macroturbulent velocity values. Our results have shown that the line broadening cannot be explained by rotational velocity only, but additional macroturbulent velocity component should be taken into account. HD 198478 shows a significant degeneracy in velocity, which means that the individual contributions of the macroturbulence and rotation in the total velocity broadening cannot be distinguished. Adequate fit of TLUSTY models to the observed non-resonant silicon lines suggests that the non-LTE plane-parallel hydrostatic stellar model without wind contribution can be used to explain such lines. We have obtained similar results using the HST STIS spectra in the same procedure, showing that the IUE spectra, despite their lacking quality compared to the STIS spectra, are reliable enough in determination of the B supergiants’ photospheric parameters.

A cold component and the complex velocity structure of DLA1331 + 170

[ABRIDGED] We examine the velocity structure in the gas associated with \ion{H}{1} in the damped Ly$\alpha$ absorption system at redshift $z=1.7764$ towards the QSO $1331+170$ using 21cm data, optical and STIS spectra. We find at least two, and possibly three, components showing \ion{C}{1} lines. One of these has Doppler parameter $b=0.55${\kms}, corresponding to a kinetic temperature of 220K if the broadening is thermal. We re-examine the H$_2$ analysis undertaken by \citet{Cui05} using the neutral carbon velocity structure, and find a model which is, consistent with a mixture of collisional and background radiation excitation of the observed H$_2$ rotational levels. For singly ionized heavy elements we find eight components covering a velocity range of $\sim 110$ {\kms}. The \ion{H}{1} structure is expected to follow some combination of the singly ionized and neutral gas, but the 21cm absorption profile is considerably different. This may be because of the different extent and brightness distributions of the radio and optical background sources, and so the spin temperature derived by comparing the Ly$\alpha$ and 21cm line strengths has little physical meaning. The neutral and singly ionized heavy element line profiles also show significant differences, and so the dominant components in each appear to be physically distinct. Attempts to use the range of atomic masses to separate thermal and turbulent components of their Doppler widths were not generally successful. The velocity structure in all ionization stages up to $+3$, apart from the neutral heavy elements, is sufficiently complex that it is difficult to separate out the corresponding velocity components for different ionization levels and determine their column densities.

RADIAL VELOCITY OFFSETS DUE TO MASS OUTFLOWS AND EXTINCTION IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

We present a study of the radial velocity offsets between narrow emission lines and host galaxy lines (stellar absorption and H I 21-cm emission) in Seyfert galaxies with observed redshifts less than 0.043. We find that 35% of the Seyferts in the sample show [O III] emission lines with blueshifts with respect to their host galaxies exceeding 50 km/s, whereas only 6% show redshifts this large, in qualitative agreement with most previous studies. We also find that a greater percentage of Seyfert 1 galaxies show blueshifts than Seyfert 2 galaxies. Using HST/STIS spatially-resolved spectra of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 and the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151, we generate geometric models of their narrow-line regions (NLRs) and inner galactic disks, and show how these models can explain the blueshifted [O III] emission lines in collapsed STIS spectra of these two Seyferts. We conclude that the combination of mass outflow of ionized gas in the NLR and extinction by dust in the inner disk (primarily in the form of dust spirals) is primarily responsible for the velocity offsets in Seyfert galaxies. More exotic explanations are not needed. We discuss the implications of this result for the velocity offsets found in higher redshift AGN.

A self-consistent stellar and 3D nebular model of planetary nebula IC 418

We present a coherent stellar and nebular model reproducing the observations of the Planetary Nebula IC418. We want to test whether a stellar model obtained by fitting the stellar observations is able to satisfactory ionize the nebula and reproduce the nebular observations, which is by no mean evident. This allows us to determine all the physical parameters of both the star and the nebula, including the abundances and the distance. We used all the observational material available (FUSE, IUE, STIS and optical spectra) to constrain the stellar atmosphere model performed using the CMFGEN code. The photoionization model is done with Cloudy_3D, and is based on CTIO, Lick, SPM, IUE and ISO spectra as well as HST images. More than 140 nebular emission lines are compared to the observed intensities. We reproduce all the observations for the star and the nebula. The 3D morphology of the gas distribution is determined. The effective temperature of the star is 36.7kK. Its luminosity is 7700 solar luminosity. We describe an original method to determine the distance of the nebula using evolutionary tracks. No clumping factor is need to reproduce the age-luminosity relation. The distance of 1.25 kpc is found in very good agreement with recent determination using parallax method. The chemical composition of both the star and the nebula are determined. Both are Carbon-rich. The nebula presents evidence of depletion of elements Mg, Si, S, Cl (0.5 dex lower than solar) and Fe (2.9 dex lower than solar). This is the first self-consistent stellar and nebular model for a Planetary Nebula that reproduces all the available observations ranging from IR to UV, showing that the combined approach for the modeling process leads to more restrictive constraints and, in principle, more trustworthy results.

V3885 SAGITTARIUS: A COMPARISON WITH A RANGE OF STANDARD MODEL ACCRETION DISKS

A $\widetilde{\chi}^2$ analysis of standard model accretion disk synthetic spectrum fits to combined $FUSE$ and STIS spectra of V3885 Sagittarius, on an absolute flux basis, selects a model that accurately represents the observed SED. Calculation of the synthetic spectrum requires the following system parameters. The cataclysmic variable secondary star period-mass relation calibrated by Knigge in 2007 sets the secondary component mass. A mean white dwarf (WD) mass from the same study, that is consistent with an observationally-determined mass ratio, sets the adopted WD mass of $0.7M_{\odot}$, and the WD radius follows from standard theoretical models. The adopted inclination, $i=65{\arcdeg}$, is a literature consensus, and is subsequently supported by $\widetilde{\chi}^2$ analysis. The mass transfer rate is the remaining parameter to set the accretion disk $T_{\rm eff}$ profile, and the $Hipparcos$ parallax constrains that parameter to $\dot{M}=5.0{\pm}2.0{\times}10^{-9} M_{\odot} {\rm yr}^{-1}$ by a comparison with observed spectra. The fit to the observed spectra adopts the contribution of a $57,000{\pm}5000$K WD. The model thus provides realistic constraints on $\dot{M}$ and $T_{\rm eff}$ for a large $\dot{M}$ system above the period gap.

Hubble Space Telescope STIS Spectroscopy of the Peculiar Nova-Like Variables BK Lyn, V751 Cygni, and V380 Oph

ABSTRACTWe obtained Hubble STIS spectra of three nova-like variables: V751 Cygni, V380 Oph, and—the only confirmed nova-like variable known to be below the period gap—BK Lyn. In all three systems, the spectra were taken during high optical brightness state, and a luminous accretion disk dominates their far-ultraviolet (FUV) light. We assessed a lower limit of the distances by applying the infrared photometric method of Knigge. Within the limitations imposed by the poorly known system parameters (such as the inclination, white dwarf mass, and the applicability of steady state accretion disks) we obtained satisfactory fits to BK Lyn using optically thick accretion disk models with an accretion rate of for a white dwarf mass of Mwd = 1.2M⊙ and for Mwd = 0.4M⊙. However, for the VY Scl-type nova-like variable V751 Cygni and for the SW Sex star V380 Oph, we are unable to obtain satisfactory synthetic spectral fits to the high state FUV spectra using optically thick steady state accretion disk models. The lack of FUV spectra information down to the Lyman limit hinders the extraction of information about the accreting white dwarf during the high states of these nova-like systems.

Velocity Offsets Due to Mass Outflows in Active Galaxies

AbstractWe present a study of the radial velocity offsets between AGN-related narrow emission lines and host-galaxy emission and absorption lines in Seyfert galaxies with observed redshifts less than 0.043. We find that 35% of the Seyferts in the sample show [O iii] emission lines with blueshifts with respect to their host galaxies exceeding 50 km s−1, whereas only 6% show redshifts this large, in qualitative agreement with most previous studies. We also find that a greater percentage of Seyfert 1 galaxies show blueshifts than Seyfert 2 galaxies. Using HST/STIS spatially-resolved spectra of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 and the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151, we generate geometric models of their narrow-line regions (NLRs) and inner galactic disks and show how these models can explain the blueshifted [O iii] emission lines in collapsed STIS spectra of these two Seyferts. We conclude that the combination of mass outflow of ionized gas in the NLR and extinction by dust in the inner disk (primarily in the form of dust spirals) is primarily responsible for the velocity offsets in Seyfert galaxies.

Hubble Space Telescope observations of white dwarfs in detached binaries

I describe three programs of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of white dwarfs (WDs) in detached binaries. (1) I summarize the HST UV spectroscopy of the Hyades eclipsing binary V471 Tauri, containing a dK main-sequence star and a hot WD. By phasing time-resolved STIS spectra on the 9.25-min rotation period of the WD, we have shown that there are two opposite spots on the WD where there is magnetic accretion from the K star's wind. (2) Several programs of direct imaging and FGS astrometry are yielding high-precision visual orbits and dynamical masses, including the famous systems of Sirius and Procyon, as well as three fainter binaries in which both components are DC WDs. (3) Finally I discuss the bizarre nucleus of the low-surface-brightness planetary nebula EGB 6. The central star is associated with a compact emission-line nebula, which HST imaging shows is associated with a resolved dM companion. Why there should be a compact nebula around the cool star is puzzling; we speculate that it could be an accretion disk of material captured from the outflow that produced the surrounding faint PN. In a recent development, Spitzer has detected a 24 μm excess from EGB 6, indicating a dust component at a temperature of ∼260 K; the location of this dust relative to the hot and cool stars and the compact nebula remains uncertain at present.

UV Excess Measures of Accretion onto Young Very Low Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs

Low-resolution spectra from 3000 to 9000 Å of young low-mass stars and brown dwarfs were obtained with LRIS on Keck I. The excess UV and optical emission arising in the Balmer and Paschen continua yields mass accretion rates ranging from 2 × 10−12 to 10−8 M☉ yr−1. These results are compared with HST STIS spectra of roughly solar-mass accretors with accretion rates that range from 2 × 10−10 to 5 × 10−8 M☉ yr−1. The weak photospheric emission from M dwarfs at <4000 Å leads to a higher contrast between the accretion and photospheric emission relative to higher mass counterparts. The mass accretion rates measured here are systematically ~4-7 times larger than those from Hα emission line profiles, with a difference that is consistent with but unlikely to be explained by the uncertainty in both methods. The accretion luminosity correlates well with many line luminosities, including high Balmer and many He I lines. Correlations of the accretion rate with Hα 10% width and line fluxes show a large amount of scatter. Our results and previous accretion rate measurements suggest that ∝ M1.87 ± 0.26 for accretors in the Taurus molecular cloud.

Hubble Space TelescopeSTIS Spectroscopy of Long‐Period Dwarf Novae in Quiescence

We present the results of a synthetic spectral analysis of HST STIS spectra of five long-period dwarf novae obtained during their quiescence to determine the properties of their white dwarfs, which are little known for systems above the CV period gap. The five systems, TU Men, BD Pav, SS Aur, TT Crt, and V442 Cen, were observed as part of an HST Snapshot project. The spectra are described and fitted with combinations of white dwarf photospheres and accretion disks. We provide evidence that the white dwarfs in all five systems are at least partially exposed. We discuss the evolutionary implications of our model-fitting results and compare these dwarf novae to previously analyzed FUV spectra of other dwarf novae above the period gap. The dispersion in CV WD temperatures above the period gap is substantially greater than one finds below the period gap, where there is a surprisingly narrow dispersion in temperatures around 15,000 K. There appears to be a larger spread of surface temperatures in dwarf novae above the period than is seen below the gap.

A Far Ultraviolet Archival Study of Cataclysmic Variables. I.FUSEandHSTSTIS Spectra of the Exposed White Dwarf in Dwarf Nova Systems

We present a synthetic spectral analysis of Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) and Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) spectra of 5 dwarf novae above and below the period gap during quiescence. We use our synthetic spectral code, including options for the treatment of the hydrogen quasi-molecular satellite lines (for low temperature stellar atmospheres), NLTE approximation (for high temperature stellar atmospheres), and for one system (RU Peg) we model the interstellar medium (ISM) molecular and atomic hydrogen lines. In all the systems presented here the FUV flux continuum is due to the WD. These spectra also exhibit some broad emission lines. In this work we confirm some of the previous FUV analysis results but we also present new results. For 4 systems we combine the FUSE and STIS spectra to cover a larger wavelength range and to improve the spectral fit. This work is part of our broader HST archival research program, in which we aim to provide accurate system parameters for cataclysmic variables above and below the period gap by combining FUSE and HST FUV spectra.

Metal-line system survey: characterizing the low-redshift IGM

The low-redshift IGM probes the last ten billion years of metal enrichment from galactic feedback processes. We present preliminary results from a survey of intergalactic metal-line absorption systems in archival HST STIS, GHRS, and FUSE spectra of ≈50 z≲2 UV-bright objects. We summarize the detailed analysis of one sightline (PKS1302–102, z QSO =0.2784) with which we set the methodology for the larger survey. We use simple CLOUDY models to constrain the ionizing mechanism(s) and metallicities for the metal-line systems. For about 15 sightlines, including PKS1302–102, we have a complementary galaxy survey, and we look for correlations between galaxies and absorption systems in order to understand the large-scale distribution of the metal-enriched IGM.

Characterizing the Low‐Redshift Intergalactic Medium toward PKS 1302−102

We present a detailed analysis of the intergalactic metal-line absorption systems in the archival HST STIS and FUSE ultraviolet spectra of the low-redshift quasar PKS 1302?102 ( -->zQSO = 0.2784). We supplement the archive data with CLOUDY ionization models and a survey of galaxies in the quasar field. There are 15 strong Ly? absorbers with column densities --> NH I > 14. Of these, six are associated with at least C III ?977 absorption [ -->log N(C+ +) > 13]; this implies a redshift density --> dNC III/dz = 36-9+13 (68% confidence limits) for the five detections with rest equivalent width -->Wr > 50 m?. Two systems show O VI ??1031, 1037 absorption in addition to C III [ -->log N(O+ 5) > 14]. One is a partial Lyman limit system (--> log NH I = 17) with associated C III, O VI, and Si III ?1206 absorption. There are three tentative O VI systems that do not have C III detected. For one O VI doublet with both lines detected at 3 ? with -->Wr > 50 m?, --> dNO VI/dz = 7-4+9. We also search for O VI doublets without Ly? absorption but identify none. From CLOUDY modeling, these metal-line systems have metallicities spanning the range ? -->4 [ M/H ] ? 0.3. The two O VI systems with associated C III absorption cannot be single-phase, collisionally ionized media based on the relative abundances of the metals and kinematic arguments. From the galaxy survey, we discover that the absorption systems are in a diverse set of galactic environments. Each metal-line system has at least one galaxy within 500 km s?1 and 600 -->h?175 kpc with -->L > 0.1L*.

The Variation of Magnesium Depletion with Line‐of‐Sight Conditions

In this paper we report on the gas-phase abundance of singly-ionized magnesium (Mg II) in 44 lines of sight, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We measure Mg II column densities by analyzing medium- and high-resolution archival STIS spectra of the 1240 A doublet of Mg II. We find that Mg II depletion is correlated with many line of sight parameters (e.g. F(H_2), E_(B-V), E_(B-V)/r, A_V, and A_V/r) in addition to the well-known correlation with <n_H>. These parameters should be more directly related to dust content and thus have more physical significance with regard to the depletion of elements such as magnesium. We examine the significance of these additional correlations as compared to the known correlation between Mg II depletion and <n_H>. While none of the correlations are better predictors of Mg II depletion than <n_H>, some are statistically significant even assuming fixed <n_H>. We discuss the ranges over which these correlations are valid, their strength at fixed <n_H>, and physical interpretations.

New Insights on Interstellar Gas‐Phase Iron

In this paper, we report on the gas-phase abundance of singly-ionized iron (Fe II) for 51 lines of sight, using data from the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). Fe II column densities are derived by measuring the equivalent widths of several ultraviolet absorption lines and subsequently fitting those to a curve of growth. Our derivation of Fe II column densities and abundances creates the largest sample of iron abundances in moderately- to highly-reddened lines of sight explored with FUSE, lines of sight that are on average more reddened than lines of sight in previous Copernicus studies. We present three major results. First, we observe the well-established correlation between iron depletion and <n_H> and also find trends between iron depletion and other line of sight parameters (e.g. f(H_2), E_(B-V), and A_V), and examine the significance of these trends. Of note, a few of our lines of sight probe larger densities than previously explored and we do not see significantly enhanced depletion effects. Second, we present two detections of an extremely weak Fe II line at 1901.773 A in the archival STIS spectra of two lines of sight (HD 24534 and HD 93222). We compare these detections to the column densities derived through FUSE spectra and comment on the line's f-value and utility for future studies of Fe II. Lastly, we present strong anecdotal evidence that the Fe II f-values derived empirically through FUSE data are more accurate than previous values that have been theoretically calculated, with the probable exception of f_1112.

Further Indications of Jet Rotation in New Ultraviolet and OpticalHubble Space TelescopeSTIS Spectra

We present survey results which suggest rotation signatures at the base of T-Tauri jets. Observations were conducted with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph at optical and near ultraviolet wavelengths (NUV). Results are presented for the approaching jet from DG Tau, CW Tau, HH 30 and the bipolar jet from TH 28. Systematic asymmetries in Doppler shift were detected across the jet, within 100 AU from the star. At optical wavelengths, radial velocity differences were typically 10 to 25 (+/-5) km/s, while differences in the NUV range were consistently lower at typically 10 (+/-5) km/s. Results are interpreted as possible rotation signatures. Importantly, there is agreement between the optical and NUV results for DG Tau. Under the assumption of steady magnetocentrifugal acceleration, the survey results lead to estimates for the distance of the jet footpoint from the star, and give values consistent with earlier studies. In the case of DG Tau, for example, we see that the higher velocity component appears to be launched from a distance of 0.2 to 0.5 AU from the star along the disk plane, while the lower velocity component appears to trace a wider part of the jet launched from as far as 1.9 AU. The results for the other targets are similar. Therefore, if indeed the detected Doppler gradients trace rotation within the jet then, under the assumption of steady MHD ejection, the derived footpoint radii support the existence of magnetized disk winds. However, since we do not resolved the innermost layers of the flow, we cannot exclude the possibility that there also exists an X-wind or stellar wind component.

A Synthetic Spectrum and Light‐Curve Analysis of the Cataclysmic Variable IX Velorum

Spectrum synthesis analysis of FUSE and STIS spectra of the cataclysmic variable IX Velorum successfully produces a system model. Light synthesis analysis of K band photometry shows that the accretion disk rim is vertically extended beyond the gravitational equilibrium value.

High‐Ionization Forbidden Lines in the UV Spectrum of AG Draconis

High-ionization forbidden lines from Ca VII, Fe VII, Mg V, Mg VI, Mg VII, and Si VII are found in recent Hubble Space Telescope STIS ultraviolet spectra of the symbiotic star AG Draconis. These species have ionization potentials between 99 and 205 eV, which are unexpected due to the high density (≈1010 cm-3) of the AG Dra nebula. The identification of the Mg VII λλ2510, 2629 lines is the first in astrophysical or laboratory spectra, and revised rest wavelengths are suggested from the STIS spectra. Plasma diagnostics from Mg V-VII are applied, but do not provide a consistent constraint on temperature or density. A density ≥108 cm-3 is confirmed, however. The lines show double-peaked profiles with widths ≈100-160 km s-1, suggestive of an origin in an accretion disk. However, the line widths, if identified with motion in a Keplerian disk, indicate radii much smaller than sizes inferred from the line fluxes themselves. The source of these high-ionization forbidden lines remains unidentified.