We present a model-independent measurement of spatial curvature Omega(k) in the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe, based on observations of the Hubble parameter H(z) using cosmic chronometers, and a Gaussian process (GP) reconstruction of the H II galaxy Hubble diagram. We show that the imposition of spatial flatness (i.e., Omega(k) - 0) easily distinguishes between the Hubble constant measured with Planck and that based on the local distance ladder. We find an optimized curvature parameter Omega(k) = -0.120(-0.147)(+0.168) when using the former (i.e., H-0 = 67.66 +/- 0.42 km s(-1) Mpc(-1)), and Omega(k) = -0.298(-0.088)(+0.122) for the latter (H-0 = 73.24 +/- 1.74 km s(-1) Mpc(-1)). The quoted uncertainties are extracted by Monte Carlo sampling, taking into consideration the covariances between the function and its derivative reconstructed by GP. These data therefore reveal that the condition of spatial flatness favors the Planck measurement, while ruling out the locally inferred Hubble constant as a true measure of the large-scale cosmic expansion rate at a confidence level of similar to 3 sigma.

We present new narrow-band H alpha imaging for 24 nearby edge-on galaxies in the Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies-an EVLA Survey (CHANG-ES). We use the images in conjunction with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 22 mu m imaging of the sample to estimate improved star formation rates (SFRs) using the updated recipe from Vargas et al. We explore correlations between the updated star formation properties and radio continuum scale heights, scale lengths, and diameters, measured in Krause et al. We find a newly discovered correlation between SFR and radio scale height that did not exist using mid-infrared (IR) only SFR calibrations. This implies that a mid-IR extinction correction should be applied to SFR calibrations when used in edge-on galaxies, due to attenuation by dust. The updated SFR values also show newly discovered correlations with radio scale length and radio diameter, implying that the previously measured relationship between radio scale height and radio diameter originates from star formation within the disk. We also identify a region of star formation located at extreme distance from the disk of NGC 4157, possibly ionized by a single O5.5 V star. This region is spatially coincident with an extended ultraviolet disk feature, as traced by the Galaxy Evolution Explorer near-ultraviolet imaging. We theorize that the star formation feature arose due to gravitational instability within gas from an accretion event. New H alpha images from this work can be found at the CHANG-ES data release website. https://www.queensu.ca/changes.

We present results on the rest-frame H-band luminosity functions (LFs) of red-sequence galaxies in seven clusters at 1.0 < z < 1.3 from the Gemini Observations of Galaxies in Rich Early Environments Survey. Using deep GMOS z' and IRAC 3.6 mu m imaging, we identify red-sequence galaxies and measure their LFs down to M-H similar to M-H* + (2.0 - 3.0) . By stacking the entire sample, we derive a shallow faint-end slope of alpha similar to -0.35(-0.15)(+0.15) and M-H*similar to -23.52(-0.17)(+0.15), suggesting that there is a deficit of faint red-sequence galaxies in clusters at high redshift. By comparing the stacked red-sequence LF of our sample with a sample of clusters at z similar to 0.6, we find an evolution of the faint end of the red sequence over the similar to 2.6 Gyr between the two samples, with the mean faint-end redsequence luminosity growing by more than a factor of 2. The faint-to-luminous ratio of our sample (0.78(-0.15)(+0.19)) is consistent with the trend of decreasing ratio with increasing redshift proposed in previous studies. A comparison with the field shows that the faint-to-luminous ratios in clusters are consistent with those in the field at z similar to 1.15 and exhibit a stronger redshift dependence. Our results support the picture that the buildup of faint red-sequence galaxies occurs gradually over time and suggest that faint cluster galaxies, similar to bright cluster galaxies, already experience the quenching effect induced by the tenvironment at z similar to 1.15.

Individual highly magnified stars have been recently discovered at lookback times of more than half the age of the universe, in lensed galaxies that straddle the critical curves of massive galaxy clusters. Having established their detectability, it is now important to carry out systematic searches for them in order to establish their frequency, and in turn learn about the statistical properties of high-redshift stars and of the granularity of matter in the foreground deflector. Here we report the discovery of a highly magnified star at redshift z = 0.94 in a strongly lensed arc behind a Hubble Frontier Field (HFF) galaxy cluster, MACS J0416.1-2403, discovered as part of a systematic archival search. The bright transient ( dubbed "Warhol") was discovered in Hubble Space Telescope data taken on 2014 September 15 and 16. The point source faded over a period of two weeks, and observations taken on 2014 September 1 show that the duration of the microlensing event was at most four weeks in total. The magnified stellar image that exhibited the microlensing peak may also exhibit slow changes over a period of years at a level consistent with that expected for microlensing by the stars responsible for the intracluster light of the cluster. Optical and infrared observations taken near peak brightness can be fit by a stellar spectrum with moderate host-galaxy extinction. A blue supergiant matches the measured spectral energy distribution near peak, implying a temporary magnification of at least several thousand. The short timescale of the event and the estimated effective temperature indicate that the lensed source is an extremely magnified star. Finally, we detect the expected counterimage of the background lensed star at an offset by similar to 0".1 in a deep coaddition of HFF imaging.

We obtained linear polarization photometry (J-band) and low-resolution spectroscopy (ZJ-bands) of TRAPPIST-1, which is a planetary system formed by an M8-type low-mass star and seven temperate, Earth-sized planets. The photopolarimetric monitoring campaign covered 6.5 h of continuous observations including one full transit of planet TRAPPIST-1d and partial transits of TRAPPIST-1b and e. The spectrophotometric data and the photometric light curve obtained over epochs with no planetary transits indicate that the low-mass star has very low level of linear polarization compatible with a null value. However, the ‘in transit’ observations reveal an enhanced linear polarization signal with peak values of p∗=0.1 per cent with a confidence level of 3σ, particularly for the full transit of TRAPPIST-1d, thus confirming that the atmosphere of the M8-type star is very likely dusty. Additional observations probing different atmospheric states of TRAPPIST-1 are needed to confirm our findings, as the polarimetric signals involved are low. If confirmed, polarization observations of transiting planetary systems with central ultracool dwarfs can become a powerful tool for the characterization of the atmospheres of the host dwarfs and the validation of transiting planet candidates that cannot be corroborated by any other method.

As part of a large Hubble Space Telescope investigation aiming at reaching the faintest stars in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 6752, an Advanced Camera for Surveys/Wide Field Channel field was the subject of deep optical observations reaching magnitudes as faint as V ∼ 30. In this field, we report the discovery of Bedin I, a dwarf spheroidal galaxy too faint and too close to the core of NGC 6752 for detection in earlier surveys. As it is of broad interest to complete the census of galaxies in the local Universe, in this letter we provide the position of this new object along with preliminary assessments of its main parameters. Assuming the same reddening as for NGC 6752, we estimate a distance modulus of (m − M)0 = 29.70 ± 0.13 from the observed red giant branch, i.e. 8.7+0.5−0.7 Mpc, and size of ∼840 × 340 pc, about one-fifth the size of the Large Magellanic Cloud. A comparison of the observed colour–magnitude diagram with synthetic counterparts, which account for the galaxy distance modulus, reddening, and photometric errors, suggests the presence of an old (∼13 Gyr) and metal-poor ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.3) population. This object is most likely a relatively isolated satellite dwarf spheroidal galaxy of the nearby great spiral NGC 6744, or potentially the most distant isolated dwarf spheroidal known with a secure distance.

We performed a survey in the SiO J = 5 → 4 line toward a sample of 199 Galactic massive star-forming regions at different evolutionary stages with the Submillimeter Telescope (SMT) 10 m and Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) 10.4 m telescopes. The sample consists of 44 infrared dark clouds (IRDCs), 86 protostellar candidates, and 69 young H ii regions. We detected SiO J = 5 → 4 line emission in 102 sources, with a detection rate of 57%, 37%, and 65% for IRDCs, protostellar candidates, and young H ii regions, respectively. We find both broad line emissions with full widths at zero power >20 km s−1 and narrow line emissions of SiO in objects at various evolutionary stages, likely associated with high-velocity shocks and low-velocity shocks, respectively. The SiO luminosities do not show apparent differences among various evolutionary stages in our sample. We find no correlation between the SiO abundance and the luminosity-to-mass ratio, indicating that the SiO abundance does not vary significantly in regions at different evolutionary stages of star formation.

Context. In recent years, the disk populations in a number of young star-forming regions have been surveyed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Understanding the disk properties and their correlation with the properties of the central star is critical to understanding planet formation. In particular, a decrease of the average measured disk dust mass with the age of the region has been observed, consistent with grain growth and disk dissipation. Aims. We aim to compare the general properties of disks and their host stars in the nearby (d = 160 pc) Corona Australis (CrA) star forming region to those of the disks and stars in other regions. Methods. We conducted high-sensitivity continuum ALMA observations of 43 Class II young stellar objects in CrA at 1.3 mm (230 GHz). The typical spatial resolution is similar to 0.3 ''. The continuum fluxes are used to estimate the dust masses of the disks, and a survival analysis is performed to estimate the average dust mass. We also obtained new VLT/X-shooter spectra for 12 of the objects in our sample for which spectral type (SpT) information was missing. Results. Twenty-four disks were detected, and stringent limits have been put on the average dust mass of the nondetections. Taking into account the upper limits, the average disk mass in CrA is 6 +/- 3 M-circle plus. This value is significantly lower than that of disks in other young (1-3 Myr) star forming regions (Lupus, Taurus, Chamaeleon I, and Ophiuchus) and appears to be consistent with the average disk mass of the 5-10 Myr-old Upper Sco. The position of the stars in our sample on the Herzsprung-Russel diagram however seems to confirm that CrA has an age similar to Lupus. Neither external photoevaporation nor a lower-than-usual stellar mass distribution can explain the low disk masses. On the other hand, a low-mass disk population could be explained if the disks were small, which could happen if the parent cloud had a low temperature or intrinsic angular momentum, or if the angular momentum of the cloud were removed by some physical mechanism such as magnetic braking. Even in detected disks, none show clear substructures or cavities. Conclusions. Our results suggest that in order to fully explain and understand the dust mass distribution of protoplanetary disks and their evolution, it may also be necessary to take into consideration the initial conditions of star- and disk-formation process. These conditions at the very beginning may potentially vary from region to region, and could play a crucial role in planet formation and evolution.

We investigated the geometrical characteristics of circular-aperture off-axis parabolic (OAP) mirror segments to clarify the meaning of the loosely defined word "center" used in the literature and in documents to describe OAPs. We proposed the elliptical aperture center of an OAP as the definition of the center. The off-axis distance (OAD) is the vertical distance from the reference optical axis to the aperture center. In addition, the OAD can be varied depending on the desired center of a circular aperture to select the part of a parallel beam for focusing. The radius of the circular aperture becomes the minor-axis semidiameter of the elliptical aperture of the OAP. These geometrical parameters were systematically defined, derived, and/or analyzed in the context of optical engineering applications. Based on a set of those fundamental parameters, an intrinsic datum point utilizing the deepest point on the OAP surface was presented. The datum point provides a well-defined reference co-ordinate frame for locating or aligning an OAP within various astronomical telescope designs, instrument manufacturing and assembly processes, and optical system alignment and testing applications. (C) The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License.

Recent developments in compact object astrophysics, especially the discovery of merging neutron stars by LIGO, the imaging of the black hole in M87 by the Event Horizon Telescope, and high- precision astrometry of the Galactic Center at close to the event horizon scale by the GRAVITY experiment motivate the development of numerical source models that solve the equations of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD). Here we compare GRMHD solutions for the evolution of a magnetized accretion flow where turbulence is promoted by the magnetorotational instability from a set of nine GRMHD codes: Athena++, BHAC, Cosmos++, ECHO, H-AMR, iharm3D, HARM-Noble, IllinoisGRMHD, and KORAL. Agreement among the codes improves as resolution increases, as measured by a consistently applied, specially developed set of code performance metrics. We conclude that the community of GRMHD codes is mature, capable, and consistent on these test problems.