Publications (16)27.18 Total impact
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Article: The Spatial Distribution of Dust and Stellar Emission of the Magellanic Clouds
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ABSTRACT: We study the emission by dust and stars in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, a pair of low-metallicity nearby galaxies, as traced by their spatially resolved spectral energy distributions (SEDs). This project combines Herschel Space Observatory PACS and SPIRE far-infrared photometry with other data at infrared and optical wavelengths. We build maps of dust and stellar luminosity and mass of both Magellanic Clouds, and analyze the spatial distribution of dust/stellar luminosity and mass ratios. These ratios vary considerably throughout the galaxies, generally between the range $0.01\leq L_{\rm dust}/L_\ast\leq 0.6$ and $10^{-4}\leq M_{\rm dust}/M_\ast\leq 4\times10^{-3}$. We observe that the dust/stellar ratios depend on the interstellar medium (ISM) environment, such as the distance from currently or previously star-forming regions, and on the intensity of the interstellar radiation field (ISRF). In addition, we construct star formation rate (SFR) maps, and find that the SFR is correlated with the dust/stellar luminosity and dust temperature in both galaxies, demonstrating the relation between star formation, dust emission and heating, though these correlations exhibit substantial scatter.10/2012; -
Article: Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution in the Tidally-Stripped, Low Metallicity Small Magellanic Cloud (SAGE-SMC) II. Cool Evolved Stars
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ABSTRACT: We investigate the infrared (IR) properties of cool, evolved stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), including the red giant branch (RGB) stars and the dust-producing red supergiant (RSG) and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars using observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope Legacy program entitled: "Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution in the Tidally-stripped, Low Metallicity SMC", or SAGE-SMC. The survey includes, for the first time, full spatial coverage of the SMC bar, wing, and tail regions at infrared (IR) wavelengths (3.6 - 160 microns). We identify evolved stars using a combination of near-IR and mid-IR photometry and point out a new feature in the mid-IR color-magnitude diagram that may be due to particularly dusty O-rich AGB stars. We find that the RSG and AGB stars each contribute ~20% of the global SMC flux (extended + point-source) at 3.6 microns, which emphasizes the importance of both stellar types to the integrated flux of distant metal-poor galaxies. The equivalent SAGE survey of the higher-metallicity Large Magellanic Cloud (SAGE-LMC) allows us to explore the influence of metallicity on dust production. We find that the SMC RSG stars are less likely to produce a large amount of dust (as indicated by the [3.6]-[8] color). There is a higher fraction of carbon-rich stars in the SMC, and these stars appear to able to reach colors as red as their LMC counterparts, indicating that C-rich dust forms efficiently in both galaxies. A preliminary estimate of the dust production in AGB and RSG stars reveals that the extreme C-rich AGB stars dominate the dust input in both galaxies, and that the O-rich stars may play a larger role in the LMC than in the SMC.06/2011; -
Article: Fundamental parameters, integrated RGB mass loss and dust production in the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tucanae
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ABSTRACT: Fundamental parameters and time-evolution of mass loss are investigated for post-main-sequence stars in the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tucanae (NGC 104). This is accomplished by fitting spectral energy distributions (SEDs) to existing optical and infrared photometry and spectroscopy, to produce a true Hertzsprung--Russell diagram. We confirm the cluster's distance as 4611 (+213, -200) pc and age as 12 +/- 1 Gyr. Horizontal branch models appear to confirm that no more RGB mass loss occurs in 47 Tuc than in the more-metal-poor omega Centauri, though difficulties arise due to inconsistencies between the models. Using our SEDs, we identify those stars which exhibit infrared excess, finding excess only among the brightest giants: dusty mass loss begins at a luminosity of ~ 1000 Lsun, becoming ubiquitous above 2000 Lsun. Recent claims of dust production around lower-luminosity giants cannot be reproduced, despite using the same archival Spitzer imagery.01/2011; -
Article: Spitzer Analysis of HII Region Complexes in the Magellanic Clouds: Determining a Suitable Monochromatic Obscured Star Formation Indicator
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ABSTRACT: HII regions are the birth places of stars, and as such they provide the best measure of current star formation rates (SFRs) in galaxies. The close proximity of the Magellanic Clouds allows us to probe the nature of these star forming regions at small spatial scales. We aim to determine the monochromatic IR band that most accurately traces the bolometric IR flux (TIR), which can then be used to estimate an obscured SFR. We present the spatial analysis, via aperture/annulus photometry, of 16 LMC and 16 SMC HII region complexes using the Spitzer IRAC and MIPS bands. UV rocket data and SHASSA H-alpha data are also included. We find that nearly all of the LMC and SMC HII region SEDs peak around 70um, from ~10 to ~400 pc from the central sources. As a result, the sizes of HII regions as probed by 70um is approximately equal to the sizes as probed by TIR (about 70 pc in radius); the radial profile of the 70um flux, normalized by TIR, is constant at all radii (70um ~ 0.45 TIR); the 1-sigma standard deviation of the 70um fluxes, normalized by TIR, is a lower fraction of the mean (0.05 to 0.12 out to ~220 pc) than the normalized 8, 24, and 160um normalized fluxes (0.12 to 0.52); and these results are invariant between the LMC and SMC. From these results, we argue that 70um is the most suitable IR band to use as a monochromatic obscured star formation indicator because it most accurately reproduces the TIR of HII regions in the LMC and SMC and over large spatial scales. We also explore the general trends of the 8, 24, 70, and 160um bands in the LMC and SMC HII region SEDs, radial surface brightness profiles, sizes, and normalized (by TIR) radial flux profiles. We derive an obscured SFR equation that is modified from the literature to use 70um luminosity, SFR(Mo/yr) = 9.7(0.7)x10^{-44} L(70)(ergs/s), which is applicable from 10 to 300 pc distance from the center of an HII region. Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables. Will be published in ApJ.04/2010; -
Article: Is Dust Forming on the Red Giant Branch in 47 Tuc?
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ABSTRACT: Using Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) observations from the SAGE-SMC Legacy program and archived Spitzer IRAC data, we investigate dust production in 47 Tuc, a nearby massive Galactic globular cluster. A previous study detected infrared excess, indicative of circumstellar dust, in a large population of stars in 47 Tuc, spanning the entire red giant branch (RGB). We show that those results suffered from effects caused by stellar blending and imaging artifacts and that it is likely that no stars below 1 mag from the tip of the RGB are producing dust. The only stars that appear to harbor dust are variable stars, which are also the coolest and most luminous stars in the cluster.The Astrophysical Journal Letters 02/2010; 711(2):L99. · 5.53 Impact Factor -
Article: Dust Production and Mass Loss in the Galactic Globular Cluster NGC 362
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ABSTRACT: We investigate dust production and stellar mass loss in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 362. Due to its close proximity to the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), NGC 362 was imaged with the Infrared Array Camera and Multiband Imaging Photometer cameras onboard the Spitzer Space Telescope as part of the Surveying the Agents of Galaxy Evolution (SAGE-SMC) Spitzer Legacy program. We detect several cluster members near the tip of the red giant branch (RGB) that exhibit infrared excesses indicative of circumstellar dust and find that dust is not present in measurable quantities in stars below the tip of the RGB. We modeled the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the stars with the strongest IR excess and find a total cluster dust mass-loss rate of 3.0+2.0 –1.2 × 10–9 M ☉ yr-1, corresponding to a gas mass-loss rate of 8.6+5.6 –3.4 × 10–6 M ☉ yr-1, assuming [Fe/H] =–1.16. This mass loss is in addition to any dustless mass loss that is certainly occurring within the cluster. The two most extreme stars, variables V2 and V16, contribute up to 45% of the total cluster dust-traced mass loss. The SEDs of the more moderate stars indicate the presence of silicate dust, as expected for low-mass, low-metallicity stars. Surprisingly, the SED shapes of the stars with the strongest mass-loss rates appear to require the presence of amorphous carbon dust, possibly in combination with silicate dust, despite their oxygen-rich nature. These results corroborate our previous findings in ω Centauri.The Astrophysical Journal 10/2009; 705(1):746. · 6.02 Impact Factor -
Article: Spitzer IRAC Observations of Newly Discovered Planetary Nebulae from the Macquarie-AAO-Strasbourg Hα Planetary Nebula Project
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ABSTRACT: We compare Hα, radio continuum, and Spitzer Space Telescope images of 58 planetary nebulae (PNe) recently discovered by the Macquarie-AAO-Strasbourg Hα PN Project (MASH) of the SuperCOSMOS Hα Survey. Using Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) data, we examine the relationships between optical and MIR morphologies from 3.6 to 8.0 μm and explore the ratio of mid-infrared (MIR) to radio nebular fluxes, which is a valuable discriminant between thermal and nonthermal emission. MASH emphasizes late evolutionary stages of PNe compared with previous catalogs, enabling study of the changes in MIR and radio flux that attend the aging process. Spatially integrated fluxes are constructed for all MASH PNe observed by the GLIMPSE Legacy Project, using the Hα morphologies to define the areas of MIR and radio continuum emission observed by the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX), IRAC, the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope, and the Very Large Array (VLA). The ratio of IRAC 8.0 μm to MSX 8.3 μm fluxes provides an assessment of the absolute diffuse calibration of IRAC at 8.0 μm. We independently confirm the aperture correction factor to be applied to IRAC at 8.0 μm to align it with the diffuse calibration of MSX. The result is in accord with the recommendations of the Spitzer Science Center and with our results from a parallel study of H II regions in the MIR and radio. However, these PNe probe the diffuse calibration of IRAC on a spatial scale of 9''-77'', as opposed to the many-arcminute scale from the H II regions' study.The Astrophysical Journal 12/2008; 669(1):343. · 6.02 Impact Factor -
Article: G313.3+00.3: A New Planetary Nebula Discovered by the Australia Telescope Compact Array and the Spitzer Space Telescope
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ABSTRACT: We present a new planetary nebula, first identified in images from the Australia Telescope Compact Array, although not recognized at that time. Recent observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope during the GLIMPSE Legacy program have rediscovered the object. The high-resolution radio and infrared images enable the identification of the central star or its wind, the recognition of the radio emission as thermal, and the probable presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in and around the source. These lead to the conclusion that G313.3+00.3 is a planetary nebula. This object is of particular interest because it was discovered solely through radio and mid-infrared imaging, without any optical (or near-infrared) confirmation, and acts as a proof of concept for the discovery of many more highly extinguished planetary nebulae. G313.3+00.3 is well resolved by both the instruments with which it was identified and suffers extreme reddening due to its location in the Scutum-Crux spiral arm.The Astrophysical Journal 12/2008; 627(1):446. · 6.02 Impact Factor -
Article: Infrared point source variability between the Spitzer and MSX surveys of the Galactic mid-plane
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ABSTRACT: We present a list of 552 sources with suspected variability, based on a comparison of mid-infrared photometry from the GLIMPSE I and MSX surveys, which were carried out nearly a decade apart. We were careful to address issues such as the difference in resolution and sensitivity between the two surveys, as well as the differences in the spectral responses of the instruments. We selected only sources where the IRAC 8.0 and MSX 8.28 micron fluxes differ by more than a factor of two, in order to minimize contamination from sources where the difference in fluxes at 8 micron is due to a strong 10 micron silicate feature. We present a subset of 40 sources for which additional evidence suggests variability, using 2MASS and MIPSGAL data. Based on a comparison with the variability flags in the IRAS and MSX Point-Source Catalogs we estimate that at least a quarter of the 552 sources, and at least half of the 40 sources are truly variable. In addition, we tentatively confirm the variability of one source using multi-epoch IRAS LRS spectra. We suggest that most of the sources in our list are likely to be Asymptotic Giant Branch stars.09/2007; -
Article: Absolute diffuse calibration of IRAC through mid-infrared and radio study of HII regions
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ABSTRACT: We investigate the diffuse absolute calibration of the InfraRed Array Camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope at 8.0microns using a sample of 43 HII regions with a wide range of morphologies near GLON=312deg. For each region we carefully measure sky-subtracted,point-source- subtracted, areally-integrated IRAC 8.0-micron fluxes and compare these with Midcourse Space eXperiment (MSX) 8.3-micron images at two different spatial resolutions, and with radio continuum maps. We determine an accurate median ratio of IRAC 8.0-micron/MSX\8.3-micron fluxes, of 1.55+/-0.15. From robust spectral energy distributions of these regions we conclude that the present 8.0-micron diffuse calibration of the SST is 36% too high compared with the MSX validated calibration, perhaps due to scattered light inside the camera. This is an independent confirmation of the result derived for the diffuse calibration of IRAC by the Spitzer Science Center (SSC). From regression analyses we find that 843-MHz radio fluxes of HII regions and mid-infrared (MIR) fluxes are linearly related for MSX at 8.3-microns and Spitzer at 8.0 microns, confirming the earlier MSX result by Cohen & Green. The median ratio of MIR/843-MHz diffuse continuum fluxes is 600 times smaller in nonthermal than thermal regions, making it a sharp discriminant. The ratios are largely independent of morphology up to a size of ~24 arcsec. We provide homogeneous radio and MIR morphologies for all sources. MIR morphology is not uniquely related to radio structure. Compact regions may have MIR filaments and/or diffuse haloes, perhaps infrared counter- parts to weakly ionized radio haloes found around compact HII regions. We offer two IRAC colour-colour plots as quantitative diagnostics of diffuse HII regions.11/2006; -
Article: Spitzer Survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud, Surveying the Agents of a Galaxy's Evolution (SAGE) I: Overview and Initial Results
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ABSTRACT: We are performing a uniform and unbiased, ~7x7 degrees imaging survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), using the IRAC and MIPS instruments on board the Spitzer Space Telescope in order to survey the agents of a galaxy's evolution (SAGE), the interstellar medium (ISM) and stars in the LMC. The detection of diffuse ISM with column densities >1.2x10^21 H cm^-2 permits detailed studies of dust processes in the ISM. SAGE's point source sensitivity enables a complete census of newly formed stars with masses >3 solar masses that will determine the current star formation rate in the LMC. SAGE's detection of evolved stars with mass loss rates >1x10^-8 solar masses per year will quantify the rate at which evolved stars inject mass into the ISM of the LMC. The observing strategy includes two epochs in 2005, separated by three months, that both mitigate instrumental artifacts and constrain source variability. The SAGE data are non-proprietary. The data processing includes IRAC and MIPS pipelines and a database for mining the point source catalogs, which will be released to the community in support of Spitzer proposal cycles 4 and 5. We present initial results on the epoch 1 data with a special focus on the N79 and N83 region. The SAGE epoch 1 point source catalog has ~4 million sources. The point source counts are highest for the IRAC 3.6 microns band and decrease dramatically towards longer wavelengths consistent with the fact that stars dominate the point source catalogs and that the dusty objects, e.g. young stellar objects and dusty evolved stars that detected at the longer wavelengths, are rare in comparison. We outline a strategy for identifying foreground MW stars, that may comprise as much as 18% of the source list, and background galaxies, that may comprise ~12% of the source list. Comment: Accepted by the Astronomical Journal06/2006; -
Article: A Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Survey of Supernova Remnants in the Inner Galaxy
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ABSTRACT: Using Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) images at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8 microns from the GLIMPSE Legacy science program on the Spitzer Space Telescope, we searched for infrared counterparts to the 95 known supernova remnants that are located within galactic longitudes 65>|l|>10 degrees and latitudes |b|<1 degree. Eighteen infrared counterparts were detected. Many other supernova remnants could have significant infrared emission but are in portions of the Milky Way too confused to allow separation from bright HII regions and pervasive mid-infrared emission from atomic and molecular clouds along the line of sight. Infrared emission from supernova remnants originates from synchrotron emission, shock-heated dust, atomic fine-structure lines, and molecular lines. The detected remnants are G11.2-0.3, Kes 69, G22.7-0.2, 3C 391, W 44, 3C 396, 3C 397, W 49B, G54.4-0.3, Kes 17, Kes 20A, RCW 103, G344.7-0.1, G346.6-0.2, CTB 37A, G348.5-0.0, and G349.7+0.2. The infrared colors suggest emission from molecular lines (9 remnants), fine-structure lines (3), and PAH (4), or a combination; some remnants feature multiple colors in different regions. None of the remnants are dominated by synchrotron radiation at mid-infrared wavelengths. The IRAC-detected sample emphasizes remnants interacting with relatively dense gas, for which most of the shock cooling occurs through molecular or ionic lines in the mid-infrared.11/2005; -
Article: Long-Term Spectroscopic and Polarimetric Monitoring of R Coronae Borealis near Maximum Light
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ABSTRACT: We have obtained low-resolution visible spectroscopy and polarimetry of R Coronae Borealis covering 8 years from 1986 to 1993 at Pine Bluff Observatory. The spectra clearly show large CN and C2 band variations correlated with pulsational phase and B-V color, similar to those previously seen for RY Sagittarii. During the declines of 1986, 1989 and 1993, the measured polarization increased in a manner consistent with previous declines. However, measurements of the position angle of the polarization in these declines do not support the result of Stanford et al. that there is a preferred of CN and C2 are associated with declines or suspected dust formation episodes. Many of the lowest band strengths are found in years when no decline takes place. However, large band strengths are not only associated with declines. For instance, in 1991, the band strengths were very large throughout the observing season and significant polarization variations were also seen even though no decline occurred that year. These variations are interpreted as being due to dust formation episodes not along the line of sight. It has been suggested that a very large pulsation observed in 1990 may be a small dust formation episode. The molecular band strengths measured during this pulsation are the largest measured in this study. However, only small variations in polarization were measured during the pulsation cycle. There is also some evidence that the polarization variations are correlated with the pulsations of R CrB in 1990. (SECTION: Stars)Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific 04/1995; 107:416. · 3.58 Impact Factor -
Article: The first ultraviolet spectropolarimetric study of NGC 1068
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ABSTRACT: We present the first ultraviolet spectropolarimetric observations of the Type 2 Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 obtained by the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE). In this communication we discuss the continuum polarization in the ultraviolet. Shortward of 2500 A the polarization becomes constant at 16 percent at a position angle of 112 deg. This is in general agreement with the 1983 prediction of Miller and Antonucci (1983) and their thick torus model, in which a hidden Type 1 Seyfert nucleus is seen in light scattered by electrons outside the obscured nuclei.03/1993; -
Article: The first spectropolarimetric study of the wavelength dependence of interstellar polarization in the ultraviolet
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ABSTRACT: The first UV spectropolarimetry along six lines of sight with significant interstellar polarization is reported. The observations were obtained with the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE) during the Astro-1 mission. HD 37903, HD 62542 and HD 99264 show a wavelength dependence which follows the Serkowski relation extrapolated into the UV. HD 25443 and Alpha Cam have UV polarization well in excess of the Serkowski extrapolation. HD 197770 clearly shows a polarization bump which closely matches the 2175 A extinction feature. This bump polarization can be fitted by small aligned graphite disks. The differences along various lines of sight might be the result of differences in the environments which affect the size and alignment of the grains.03/1992; -
Article: Infrared Point-Source Variability between the Spitzer and Midcourse Space Experiment Surveys of the Galactic Midplane
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ABSTRACT: We present a list of 552 sources with suspected variability, based on a comparison of mid-infrared photometry from the GLIMPSE I and Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) surveys, which were carried out nearly a decade apart. We were careful to address issues such as the difference in resolution and sensitivity between the two surveys, as well as the differences in the spectral responses of the instruments. We selected only sources where the IRAC 8.0 m and MSX 8.28 m fluxes differ by more than a factor of 2, in order to minimize contamination from sources where the dif-ference in fluxes at 8 m is due to a strong 10 m silicate feature. We present a subset of 40 sources for which additional evidence suggests variability, using 2MASS and MIPSGAL data. Based on a comparison with the variability flags in the IRAS and MSX point-source catalogs we estimate that at least a quarter of the 552 sources and at least half of the 40 sources in the subset are truly variable. In addition, we tentatively confirm the variability of one source using multiepoch IRAS LRS spectra. We suggest that most of the sources in our list are likely to be asymptotic giant branch stars.
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2006–2010
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University of Wisconsin - Madison
- Department of Astronomy
Madison, MS, USA
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