C. Koresko

The afterglow, redshift and extreme energetics of the gamma-ray burst of 23 January 1999

Long-lived emission, known as afterglow, has now been detected from about a dozen γ-ray bursts. Distance determinations place the bursts at cosmological distances, with redshifts, z, ranging from ∼1 to 3. The energy required to produce these bright γ-ray flashes is enormous: up to ∼10 53 erg, or 10 per cent of the rest-mass energy of a neutron star, if the emission is isotropic. Here we present optical and near-infrared observations of the afterglow of GRB990123, and we determine a redshift of z ⩾ 1.6. This is to date the brightest γ-ray burst with a well-localized position and if the γ-rays were emitted isotropically, the energy release exceeds the rest-mass energy of a neutron star, so challenging current theoretical models of the sources. We argue, however, that our data may provide evidence of beamed (rather than isotropic) radiation, thereby reducing the total energy released to a level where stellar-death models are still tenable.Afterglow, or long-lived emission, has now been detected from about a dozen well-positioned gamma-ray bursts. Distance determinations made by measuring optical emission lines from the host galaxy, or absorption lines in the afterglow spectrum, place the burst sources at significant cosmological distances, with redshifts ranging from ~1--3. The energy required to produce the bright gamma-ray flashes is enormous: up to ~10^{53} erg or 10 percent of the rest mass energy of a neutron star, if the emission is isotropic. Here we present the discovery of the optical afterglow and the redshift of GRB 990123, the brightest well-localized GRB to date. With our measured redshift of >1.6, the inferred isotropic energy release exceeds the rest mass of a neutron star thereby challenging current theoretical models for the origin of GRBs. We argue that the optical and IR afterglow measurements reported here may provide the first observational evidence of beaming in a GRB, thereby reducing the required energetics to a level where stellar death models are still tenable.

The afterglow, the redshift, and the extreme energetics of the gamma-ray burst 990123

Long-lived emission, known as afterglow, has now been detected from about a dozen γ-ray bursts. Distance determinations place the bursts at cosmological distances, with redshifts, z, ranging from ∼1 to 3. The energy required to produce these bright γ-ray flashes is enormous: up to ∼10 53 erg, or 10 per cent of the rest-mass energy of a neutron star, if the emission is isotropic. Here we present optical and near-infrared observations of the afterglow of GRB990123, and we determine a redshift of z ⩾ 1.6. This is to date the brightest γ-ray burst with a well-localized position and if the γ-rays were emitted isotropically, the energy release exceeds the rest-mass energy of a neutron star, so challenging current theoretical models of the sources. We argue, however, that our data may provide evidence of beamed (rather than isotropic) radiation, thereby reducing the total energy released to a level where stellar-death models are still tenable.Afterglow, or long-lived emission, has now been detected from about a dozen well-positioned gamma-ray bursts. Distance determinations made by measuring optical emission lines from the host galaxy, or absorption lines in the afterglow spectrum, place the burst sources at significant cosmological distances, with redshifts ranging from ~1--3. The energy required to produce the bright gamma-ray flashes is enormous: up to ~10^{53} erg or 10 percent of the rest mass energy of a neutron star, if the emission is isotropic. Here we present the discovery of the optical afterglow and the redshift of GRB 990123, the brightest well-localized GRB to date. With our measured redshift of >1.6, the inferred isotropic energy release exceeds the rest mass of a neutron star thereby challenging current theoretical models for the origin of GRBs. We argue that the optical and IR afterglow measurements reported here may provide the first observational evidence of beaming in a GRB, thereby reducing the required energetics to a level where stellar death models are still tenable.

Measuring the Magnetic Field on the Classical T Tauri Star BP Tauri

We examine several theories that describe how stellar magnetic fields on classical T Tauri stars (CTTSs) interact with their surrounding accretion disks. We demonstrate that these theories require magnetic field strengths ranging from a few hundred to several thousand gauss, depending on which model is used and more importantly on the properties of individual systems. For example, the CTTS BP Tau is predicted to have a relatively strong magnetic field (1.4-4.1 kG), which should be detectable. We present infrared (IR) and optical echelle spectra of BP Tau and several reference stars of similar spectral class. Using detailed spectrum synthesis and the latest model atmospheres, we fitted 12 absorption features in the optical spectrum, including the strong titanium oxide (TiO) band head at 7055 A. For BP Tau we determine key stellar parameters: effective temperature (Teff=4055 ± 112 K), gravity (log g=3.67 ± 0.50), metallicity ([M/H]=0.18 ± 0.11), projected rotational velocity (v sin i=10.2 ± 1.8 km s-1), and optical veiling (r=0.00-0.15). A similar analysis of 61 Cyg B (K7 V) is used to validate the methodology. We then use the IR spectra to look for Zeeman broadening, which has a more pronounced effect at longer wavelengths. A Zeeman sensitive Ti I line at 2.2233 μm appears significantly broadened in BP Tau, relative to several rotationally broadened standard stars. The observed line is also significantly broader than predictions based on our optical analysis. Interpreting this excess broadening as Zeeman splitting of the Ti I line, we fitted the spectrum and find a distribution of field strengths whose surface averaged mean is =2.6 ± 0.3 kG. We did not use the Zeeman sensitive Fe I line at 8468.4 A when determining stellar or magnetic parameters for BP Tau, so this line provides a test of our results. The observed line profile is indeed broader than the nonmagnetic prediction, but the 8468.4 A line gives a magnetic flux lower than what was obtained in the IR, perhaps indicating that strong fields are concentrated into cool spots. Finally, we investigate an ad hoc model in which the IR line is assumed to form in the accretion disk itself. We discuss several reasons why the magnetic model is preferred, but the disk atmosphere example illustrates that our magnetic field measurement must still be tested using several IR lines with a range of Zeeman sensitivities.

The near-infrared size-luminosity relations for Herbig Ae/Be disks

We report the results of a sensitive K-band survey of Herbig Ae/Be disk sizes using the 85 m baseline Keck Interferometer. Targets were chosen to span the maximum range of stellar properties to probe the disk size dependenceonluminosityandeffectivetemperature.Formosttargets,themeasurednear-infraredsizes(rangingfrom0.2to 4AU)supportasimple diskmodelpossessingacentralopticallythin(dust-free) cavity,ringedbyhotdustemitting at theexpected sublimation temperatures (Ts � 1000–1500 K).Furthermore, wefindatightcorrelation of disksizewith source luminosity R / L 1 =2 for Ae and late Be systems (valid over more than two decades in luminosity), confirming earlier suggestions based on lower quality data. Interestingly, the inferred dust-free inner cavities of the highest luminosity sources (Herbig B0–B3 stars) are undersized compared to predictions of the ‘‘optically thin cavity’’ model, likely because of optically thick gas within the inner AU. Subject headingg accretion, accretion disks — circumstellar matter — instrumentation: interferometers — radiative transfer — stars: formation — stars: pre–main-sequence

Ground-based Coronagraphy with High-order Adaptive Optics

We summarize the theory of coronagraphic optics and identify a dimensionless —ne-tuning parameter, F, which we use to describe the Lyot stop size in the natural units of the coronagraphic optical train and the observing wavelength. We then present simulations of coronagraphs matched to adaptive optics (AO) systems on the Calypso 1.2 m, Palomar Hale 5 m, and Gemini 8 m telescopes under various atmospheric conditions and identify useful parameter ranges for AO coronagraphy on these telescopes. Our simulations employ a tapered, high-pass —lter in spatial frequency space to mimic the action of adaptive wave front correction. We test the validity of this representation of AO correction by comparing our simulations with recent K-band data from the 241 channel Palomar Hale AO system and its dedicated Palomar High Angular Resolution Observer (PHARO) science camera in coronagraphic mode. Our choice of monochromatic modeling enables us to distinguish between underlying halo suppression and ★ b)

Diffraction limited infrared images of the binary star T Tauri

High-resolution images of T Tau and its infrared companion have been reconstructed from near- and mid-infrared data collected at the Hale 5 m telescope. The near-infrared ( 1-5 µm) results were obtained by two dimensional speckle imaging and the mid-infrared (10-20 µm) results were derived from shift and add procedures applied to slit scans. The spectral energy distributions of the separated components were constructed from 1 to 20 µm data collected in less than half a year (1990 September to 1991 January). The spectral energy distribution of the optical component (T Tau N) is interpreted as containing two distinct constituents, a photosphere and a surrounding disk of circumstellar material. Measurements at a number of infrared wavelengths over the period 1985 December to 1991 January show a 2 mag color-independent change in the brightness of the infrared component (T Tau S). We propose that this may have been caused by an increase in accretion onto T Tau S and model the spectral energy distribution of T Tau S as being dominated by an accretion disk.

The Host Galaxy of GRB 990123

We present deep images of the field of GRB 990123 obtained in a broadband UV/visible bandpass with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and deep near-infrared images obtained with the Keck I 10 m telescope. The HST image reveals that the optical transient (OT) is offset by 0farcs67 (5.8 kpc in projection) from an extended, apparently interacting galaxy. This galaxy, which we conclude is the host galaxy of GRB 990123, is the most likely source of the absorption lines of metals at a redshift of z=1.6 seen in the spectrum of the OT. With magnitudes of Gunn-r = 24.5 ± 0.2 and K = 22.1±0.3 mag, this corresponds to an L ~ 0.5L

Keck Interferometer Observations of Classical and Weak-line T Tauri Stars

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Interferometer Observations of Subparsec-Scale Infrared Emission in the Nucleus of NGC 4151

galaxy, assuming that it is located at z = 1.6. The estimated unobscured star formation rate is ≈4 M_☉ yr^(−1), which is typical for normal galaxies at comparable redshifts. There is no evidence for strong gravitational lensing magnification of this burst, and some alternative explanation for its remarkable energetics (such as beaming) may therefore be required. The observed offset of the OT from the nominal host center, the absence of broad absorption lines in the afterglow spectrum, and the relatively blue continuum of the host do not support the notion that gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) originate from active galactic nuclei or massive black holes. Rather, the data are consistent with models of GRBs that involve the death and/or merger of massive stars. Indeed, the HST image suggests an intimate connection between GRB 990123 and a star-forming region.

Detection of Water Ice on the Centaur 1997 CU26

We present observations of the T Tauri stars BP Tau, DG Tau, DI Tau, GM Aur, LkCa 15, RW Aur, and V830 Tau, using long baseline infrared interferometry at K band (2.2 μm) from the Keck Interferometer. The target sources have a range of mass accretion rates and excess near-infrared emission. The interferometer is most sensitive to extended emission on characteristic size scales of 1-5 mas. All sources show evidence for resolved K-band emission on these scales, although a few of the sources are marginally consistent with being unresolved. We calculate the infrared excess based on fitting stellar photosphere models to the optical photometry and estimate the physical size of the emission region using simple geometric models for the sources with a significant infrared excess. Assuming that the K-band-resolved emission traces the inner edge of the dust disk, we compare the measured characteristic sizes to predicted dust sublimation radii and find that the models require a range of dust sublimation temperatures and possibly optical depths within the inner rim to match the measured radii.