Tomonori Usuda

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan | NAOJ · TMT Project Office

Determining the inner structure of the molecular torus around an active galactic nucleus is essential for understanding its formation mechanism. However, spatially resolving the torus is difficult because of its small size. To probe the clump conditions in the torus, we therefore perform the systematic velocity-decomposition analyses of the gaseous...

Determining the inner structure of the molecular torus around an active galactic nucleus is essential for understanding its formation mechanism. However, spatially resolving the torus is difficult because of its small size. To probe the clump conditions in the torus, we therefore perform the systematic velocity-decomposition analyses of the gaseous...

Recent discoveries of Earth-sized planets transiting nearby M dwarfs have made it possible to characterize the atmospheres of terrestrial planets via follow-up spectroscopic observations. However, the number of such planets receiving low insolation is still small, limiting our ability to understand the diversity of the atmospheric composition and c...

Recent discoveries of Earth-sized planets transiting nearby M dwarfs have made it possible to characterize the atmospheres of terrestrial planets via follow-up spectroscopic observations. However, the number of such planets receiving low insolation is still small, limiting our ability to understand the diversity of the atmospheric composition and c...

Understanding the inner structure of the clumpy molecular torus surrounding the active galactic nucleus is essential in revealing the forming mechanism. However, spatially resolving the torus is difficult because of its size of a few parsecs. Thus, to probe the clump conditions in the torus, we performed the velocity decomposition of the CO rovibra...

Understanding the inner structure of the clumpy molecular torus surrounding the active galactic nucleus is essential in revealing the forming mechanism. However, spatially resolving the torus is difficult because of its size of a few parsecs. Thus, to probe the clump conditions in the torus, we performed the velocity decomposition of the CO ro-vibr...

We analyzed the young (2.8 Myr-old) binary system FS Tau A using near-infrared (H-band) high-contrast polarimetry data from Subaru/HiCIAO and submillimeter CO (J = 2–1) line emission data from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Both the near-infrared and submillimeter observations reveal several clear structures extending to ~240...

The SR 24 multistar system hosts both circumprimary and circumsecondary disks, which are strongly misaligned with each other. The circumsecondary disk is circumbinary in nature. Interestingly, both disks are interacting, and they possibly rotate in opposite directions. To investigate the nature of this unique twin disk system, we present 0.″1 resol...

We analyzed the young (2.8-Myr-old) binary system FS Tau A using near-infrared (H-band) high-contrast polarimetry data from Subaru/HiCIAO and sub-millimeter CO (J=2-1) line emission data from ALMA. Both the near-infrared and sub-millimeter observations reveal several clear structures extending to $\sim$240 AU from the stars. Based on these observat...

The SR24 multi-star system hosts both circumprimary and circumsecondary disks, which are strongly misaligned from each other. The circumsecondary disk is circumbinary in nature. Interestingly, both disks are interacting, and they possibly rotate in opposite directions. To investigate the nature of this unique twin disk system, we present 0.''1 reso...

Context. Deuterated interstellar molecules frequently have abundances relative to their main isotopologues much higher than the overall elemental D-to-H ratio in the cold dense interstellar medium. H 3⁺ and its isotopologues play a key role in the deuterium fractionation; however, the abundances of these isotopologues have not been measured empiric...

The molecular gas in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of the Galaxy has been studied using infrared absorption spectra of H$_3^+$ lines at 3.5-4.0 $\mu$m and CO lines near 2.34 $\mu$m. In addition to the previously reported spectra of these lines toward 8 stars located within 30 pc of Sgr A$^\ast$, there are now spectra toward $\sim$30 bright stars...

Deuterated interstellar molecules frequently have abundances relative to their main isotopologues much higher than the overall elemental D-to-H ratio in the cold dense interstellar medium. The H$_3^+$ and its isotopologues play a key role in the deuterium fractionation; however, the abundances of these isotopologues have not been measured empirical...

The molecular gas in the central molecular zone (CMZ) of the Galaxy has been studied using infrared absorption spectra of H 3 ⁺ lines at 3.5–4.0 μ m and CO lines near 2.34 μ m. In addition to the previously reported spectra of these lines toward eight stars located within 30 pc of Sgr A*, there are now spectra toward ∼30 bright stars located from 1...

We present H-band polarized scattered light imagery and JHK high-contrast spectroscopy of the protoplanetary disk around HD 163296 observed with the High-Contrast Coronographic Imager for Adaptive Optics (HiCIAO) and Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics (SCExAO)/Coronagraphic High Angular Resolution Imaging Spectrograph (CHARIS) instruments...

We present H-band polarized scattered light imagery and JHK high-contrast spectroscopy of the protoplanetary disk around HD 163296 observed with the HiCIAO and SCExAO/CHARIS instruments at Subaru Observatory. The polarimetric imagery resolve a broken ring structure surrounding HD 163296 that peaks at a distance along the major axis of 0.65 (66 AU)...

We report an orbital characterization of GJ1108Aab that is a low-mass binary system in the pre-main-sequence phase. Via the combination of astrometry using adaptive optics and radial velocity measurements, an eccentric orbital solution of e = 0.63 is obtained, which might be induced by the Kozai-Lidov mechanism with a widely separated GJ1108B syste...

We report an orbital characterization of GJ1108Aab that is a low-mass binary system in pre-main-sequence phase. Via the combination of astrometry using adaptive optics and radial velocity measurements, an eccentric orbital solution of $e$=0.63 is obtained, which might be induced by the Kozai-Lidov mechanism with a widely separated GJ1108B system. C...

We present H- and K s-bands observations of the LkHα 330 disk with a multi-band detection of the large gap and spiral-like structures. The morphology of the outer disk (r ∼ 0.″3) at PA = 0°-45° and PA = 180-290° is likely density wave-induced spirals, and comparison between our observational results and simulations suggests a planet formation. We h...

The Infrared Doppler (IRD) instrument is a fiber-fed high-resolution NIR spectrometer for the Subaru telescope covering the Y,J,H-bands simultaneously with a maximum spectral resolution of 70,000. The main purpose of IRD is a search for Earth-mass planets around nearby M-dwarfs by precise radial velocity measurements, as well as a spectroscopic cha...

We conducted high-contrast polarimetry observations of T Tau in the H-band, using the High Contrast Instrument for the Subaru Next Generation Adaptive Optics instrument mounted on the Subaru Telescope, revealing structures as near as 0.″1 from the stars T Tau N and T Tau S. The whole T Tau system is found to be surrounded by nebula-like envelopes,...

We conducted high-contrast polarimetry observations of T Tau in the H-band, using the HiCIAO instrument mounted on the Subaru Telescope, revealing structures as near as 0.$\arcsec$1 from the stars T Tau N and T Tau S. The whole T Tau system is found to be surrounded by nebula-like envelopes, and several outflow-related structures are detected in th...

We present $H$- and $K_{\rm s}$-bands observations of the LkH$\alpha$ 330 disk with a simultaneous detection of a large gap and spiral-like structures. The morphology of the outer disk ($r\sim$$0\farcs3$) at PA=0--45$^\circ$ and PA=180--290$^\circ$ is affected by a density wave-induced spiral despite the possibility of "cavity-like" structures. We...

The Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) is an 870 megapixel prime focus optical imaging camera for the 8.2 m Subaru telescope. The wide-field corrector delivers sharp images of 0.2 (FWHM) in the HSC-i band over the entire 1.5 diameter field of view. The collimation of the camera with respect to the optical axis of the primary mirror is done with hexapod actuat...

The TMT is a project to build an extremely large 30-meter optical/infrared telescope under the collaboration of five partner countries including Japan, USA, Canada, China, and India. In 2014, an agreement was executed among the participating organizations to found TMT International Observatory (TIO) to construct TMT on Maunakea. The onsite construc...

Context. Observationally, supernovae (SNe) are divided into subclasses according to their distinct characteristics. This diversity naturally reflects the diversity in the progenitor stars. It is not entirely clear, however, how different evolutionary paths leading massive stars to become an SN are governed by fundamental parameters such as progenit...

Large exoplanet surveys have successfully detected thousands of exoplanets to-date. Utilizing these detections and non-detections to constrain our understanding of the formation and evolution of planetary systems also requires a detailed understanding of the basic properties of their host stars. We have determined the basic stellar properties of F,...

We report the discovery of a diffuse stellar cloud with an angular extent $\gtrsim30^{\prime\prime}$, which we term "Sumo Puff", in data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP). While we do not have a redshift for this object, it is in close angular proximity to a post-merger galaxy at redshift $z=0.0431$ and is projected with...

We have measured the clustering of galaxies around active galactic nuclei (AGN) for which single-epoch virial masses of the super-massive black hole (SMBH) are available to investigate the relation between the large scale environment of AGNs and the evolution of SMBHs. The AGN samples used in this work were derived from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey...

Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) is a wide-field imaging camera on the prime focus of the 8.2m Subaru telescope on the summit of Maunakea. A team of scientists from Japan, Taiwan and Princeton University is using HSC to carry out a 300-night multi-band imaging survey of the high-latitude sky. The survey includes three layers: the Wide layer will cover 1400...

In order to reveal physical conditions of molecular gas in active galaxies (active galaxies mean both starbursts and AGNs in this paper), we carried out systematic observations (R

We provide a new physical insight on the hot molecular clouds near the nucleus of the obscured AGNs. We performed near-infrared spectroscopic observations of heavily obscured AGNs in order to reveal physical characteristics of molecular clouds, especially focused on the CO fundamental ro-vibrational absorption around 4.7µm. We have made systematic...

The Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC-SSP) is a three-layered imaging survey aimed at addressing some of the most outstanding questions in astronomy today, including the nature of dark matter and dark energy. The survey has been awarded 300 nights of observing time at the Subaru Telescope. The survey started in March 2014. This paper...

We present an optically-selected cluster catalog from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Subaru Strategic Program. The HSC images are sufficiently deep to detect cluster member galaxies down to $M_*\sim 10^{10.2}M_\odot$ even at $z\sim 1$, allowing a reliable cluster detection at such high redshifts. We apply the CAMIRA algorithm to the HSC Wide S16A data...

We present measurements of the clustering properties of a sample of infrared (IR) bright dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs). Combining 125 deg$^2$ of wide and deep optical images obtained with the Hyper Suprime-Cam on the Subaru Telescope and all-sky mid-IR (MIR) images taken with Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, we have discovered 4,367 IR-bright D...

By performing non-masked polarization imaging with Subaru/HiCIAO, polarized scattered light from the inner region of the disk around the GG Tau A system was successfully detected in the $H$ band with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.07$\arcsec$, revealing the complicated inner disk structures around this young binary. This paper reports the...

We present high signal-to-noise ratio, precise $YJH$ photometry and $Y$ band (\gpiwave~$\mu$m) spectroscopy of HD 1160 B, a young substellar companion discovered from the Gemini NICI Planet Finding Campaign, using the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics instrument and the Gemini Planet Imager. HD 1160 B has typical mid-M dwarf-like infrare...

We present high-contrast H-band polarized intensity images of the transitional disk around the young solar-like star GM Aur. The near-infrared direct imaging of the disk was derived by polarimetric differential imaging using the Subaru 8.2-m Telescope and HiCIAO. An angular resolution and inner working angle of 0.07" and r~0.05", respectively, were...

We present H-band (1.6 {\mu}m) scattered light observations of the transitional disk RX J1615.3-3255, located in the ~1 Myr old Lupus association. From a polarized intensity image, taken with the HiCIAO instrument of the Subaru Telescope, we deduce the position angle and the inclination angle of the disk. The disk is found to extend out to 68 $\pm$...

We report the discovery of a new ultra-faint dwarf satellite companion of the Milky Way based on the early survey data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program. This new satellite, Virgo I, which is located in the constellation of Virgo, has been identified as a statistically significant (5.5 sigma) spatial overdensity of star-like objec...

We report the discovery of a new ultra-faint dwarf satellite companion of the Milky Way based on the early survey data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program. This new satellite, Virgo I, which is located in the constellation of Virgo, has been identified as a statistically significant (5.5 sigma) spatial overdensity of star-like objec...

We report the direct imaging detection of a low-mass companion to a young, moderately active star V450 And, that was previously identified with the radial velocity method. The companion was found in high-contrast images obtained with the Subaru Telescope equipped with the HiCIAO camera and AO188 adaptive optics system. From the public ELODIE and SO...

We report the serendipitous discovery of a quadruply (quad) lensed source at redshift $z_{\rm s}=3.76$, HSC~J115252+004733, from the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Survey. The source is lensed by an early-type galaxy at $z_{\rm l}=0.466$ along with a satellite galaxy. Here, we investigate the nature of the source by studying its size, luminosity an...

We report the serendipitous discovery of a quadruply lensed source at $z_{\rm s}=3.76$, HSC~J115252+004733, from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) Survey. The source is lensed by an early-type galaxy at $z_{\rm l}=0.466$ and a satellite galaxy. Here, we investigate the properties of the source by studying its size and luminosity from the imaging and the...

We find a new substellar companion to the Pleiades member star, Pleiades HII 3441, using the Subaru telescope with adaptive optics. The discovery is made as part of the high-contrast imaging survey to search for planetary-mass and substellar companions in the Pleiades and young moving groups. The companion has a projected separation of 0".49 +/- 0"...

For the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) that aims high-resolution and high-sensitivity observations for optical-infrared astronomy, detailed design is underway for Telescope Structure System (STR) including the mount control system and the segment handling system. The technical requirements for the STR system are very challenging on its performance an...

Dust trapping accelerates the coagulation of dust particles, and thus it represents an initial step toward the formation of planetesimals. We report $H$-band (1.6 um) linear polarimetric observations and 0.87 mm interferometric continuum observations toward a transitional disk around LkHa 330. As results, a pair of spiral arms were detected in the...

Dust trapping accelerates the coagulation of dust particles, and thus it represents an initial step toward the formation of planetesimals. We report $H$-band (1.6 um) linear polarimetric observations and 0.87 mm interferometric continuum observations toward a transitional disk around LkHa 330. As results, a pair of spiral arms were detected in the...

We present new analysis of multi-epoch, H-band, scattered light images of the AB Aur system. We used a Monte Carlo, radiative transfer code to simultaneously model the system's SED and H-band polarized intensity imagery. We find that a disk-dominated model, as opposed to one that is envelope dominated, can plausibly reproduce AB Aur's SED and near-...

A radial velocity (RV) survey for intermediate-mass giants has been operated for over a decade at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory (OAO). The OAO survey has revealed that some giants show long-term linear RV accelerations (RV trends), indicating the presence of outer companions. Direct imaging observations can help clarify what objects generate th...

We describe a weak lensing view of the downsizing of star forming galaxies based on cross correlating a weak lensing ($\kappa$) map with a predicted map constructed from a redshift survey. Moderately deep and high resolution images with Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam covering the 4 deg^2 DLS F2 field provide a $\kappa$ map with 1 arcmin resolution. A den...

We present the first near-infrared scattered-light detection of the transitional disk around V1247 Ori, which was obtained using high-resolution polarimetric differential imaging observations with Subaru/HiCIAO. Our imaging in the H band reveals the disk morphology at separations of ∼0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$14–0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$86 (54–330 au)...

We present high-contrast angular differential imaging (ADI) observations of the debris disk around HD 32297 in $H$-band, as well as the first polarimetric images for this system in polarized differential imaging (PDI) mode with Subaru/HICIAO. In ADI, we detect the nearly edge-on disk at $\geq$ 5$\sigma$ levels from $\sim$0.45 arcsec to $\sim$1.7 ar...

We present high-contrast observations of 68 young stellar objects (YSOs) taken as part of the SEEDS survey on the Subaru telescope. Our targets are very young ($<$10 Myr) stars, which often harbor protoplanetary disks where planets may be forming. We achieve typical contransts of $\sim$$10^{-4}$-$10^{-5.5}$ at the angular distance of 1$\arcsec$ fro...

We present high-contrast H-band polarized intensity images of the transitional disk around the young solar-like star LkCa 15. By utilizing Subaru/HiCIAO for polarimetric differential imaging, both the angular resolution and the inner working angle reach 0.07" and r=0.1", respectively. We obtained a clearly resolved gap (width <~ 27 AU) at ~ 48 AU f...

A high angular resolution near-infrared polarized-intensity image of the GG Tau A binary system was obtained with the Subaru Telescope. The image shows the circumbinary disk scattering the light from the central binary. The azimuthal profile of the polarized intensity of the circumbinary disk is roughly reproduced by a simple disk model with the He...

We present the first spatially resolved polarized scattered light H-band detection of the DoAr 28 transitional disk. Our two epochs of imagery detect the scattered light disk from our effective inner working angle of 0.10" (13 AU) out to 0.50" (65 AU). This inner working angle is interior to the location of the system's gap inferred by previous stu...

We report high-resolution near-infrared absorption spectroscopy of H2, H3+, and CO toward the young high mass object NGC 7538 IRS 1. The v = 1-0 H2S(0) line and lines in the CO v = 2-0 band were detected; the v = 1-0 H2S(1) line and the v = 1-0 H3+ lines [R(1, 1)l, R(1, 0), R(1, 1)u] were not detected. The line of sight traverses two clouds, with t...

We present the photometric properties of a sample of infrared (IR) bright dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs). Combining wide and deep optical images obtained with the Hyper Suprime-Cam on the Subaru Telescope and all-sky mid-IR (MIR) images taken with Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, we discovered 48 DOGs with i − Ks > 1.2 and i − [22] > 7.0, where...

Coronagraphic imagery of the circumstellar disk around HD 169142 in H-band polarized intensity (PI) with Subaru/HiCIAO is presented. The emission scattered by dust particles at the disk surface in 0${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$2 ≤ r ≤ 1${^{\prime\prime}_{.}}$2, or 29 ≤ r ≤ 174 au, is successfully detected. The azimuthally averaged radial profile of the P...

We present new high-resolution ($\sim$0\farcs09) $H$-band imaging observations of the circumstellar disk around the T Tauri star SU Aur. Our observations with Subaru-HiCIAO have revealed the presence of scattered light as close as 0\farcs15 ($\sim$20 AU) to the star. Within our image, we identify bright emission associated with a disk with a minimu...

Because of their large numbers, red dwarfs may be the most abundant planet hosts in our Galaxy. In order to detect Earth-like planets around nearby red dwarfs (in particular late-M stars), it is crucial to conduct the precise radial velocity (RV) measurements at near-infrared wavelengths where these stars emit most of light. We report the developme...

We present a new Subaru/HiCIAO high-contrast H-band polarized intensity (PI) image of a nearby transitional disk associated with TW Hydrae. The scattered light from the disk was detected from 0.2" to 1.5" (11 - 81 AU) and the PI image shows a clear axisymmetric depression in polarized intensity at ~ 0.4" (~ 20 AU) from the central star, similar to...

Spatially-resolved imaging of Herbig stars and related objects began with HST, but intensified with commissioning of high-contrast imagers on 8-m class telescopes. The bulk of the data taken from the ground have been polarized intensity imagery at H-band, with the majority of the sources observed as part of the Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets a...

Infrared spectroscopy of H 3 + toward the Galactic center uncovered the presence of vast amount of diffuse (100 cm−3) and warm gas (250 K) filling the Central Molecular Zone of our Galaxy (CMZ; R< 200 pc). We present a detailed view of the cloud, with yet higher resolution spectroscopy of H 3 + and 13 CO toward two bright sources in t...

The formation scenario of a gapped disk, i.e., transitional disk, and its asymmetry is still under debate. Proposed scenarios such as disk-planet interaction, photoevaporation, grain growth, anticyclonic vortex, eccentricity, and their combinations would result in different radial distributions of the gas and the small (sub-$\mu$m size) and large (...

We present the first resolved near infrared imagery of the transition disk Oph IRS 48 (WLY 2-48), which was recently observed with ALMA to have a strongly asymmetric sub-millimeter flux distribution. H-band polarized intensity images show a $\sim$60AU radius scattered light cavity with two pronounced arcs of emission, one from Northeast to Southeas...

A high angular resolution near-infrared image that shows the intensity of polarization for the GG Tau A binary system was obtained with the Subaru Telescope. The image shows a circumbinary disk scattering the light from the central binary. The azimuthal profile of the intensity of polarization for the circumbinary disk is roughly reproduced by a si...