Astronomical instrumentation

Abstract:

We analyse the ro-vibrational absorption bands of various molecular cations (HCO, HCNH, and NH) and neutral species (HCN, HNC, and HCN) detected in the James Webb Space Telescope/Mid-Infrared Instrument Medium Resolution Spectrometer spectrum (4.9–27.9 μm) of the local ultraluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 07251-0248. We find that the molecular absorptions are blueshifted by 160 km s relative to the systemic velocity of the target. Using local thermal equilibrium excitation models, we derive rotational temperatures () from 42 to 185 K for these absorption bands. This range of measured can be explained by infrared radiative pumping as a by-product of the strength, effective critical density, and opacity of each molecular band. Thus, these results suggest that these absorptions originate in a warm expanding gas shell (90–330 yr), which might be the base of the larger scale cold molecular outflow detected in this source. Finally, the elevated abundance of molecular cations can be explained by a high cosmic ray ionization rate, with log(/n in the range of -18.2 (from H) to -19.1 (inferred from HCO and NH, which are likely tracing denser gas), consistent with a cosmic ray dominated chemistry as predicted by chemical models.

Abstract:

Strong gravitational-lensing systems with multiple source planes are powerful tools for probing the density profiles and dark matter substructure of galaxies. The ratio of the Einstein radii is related to the dark energy equation of state through the cosmological scaling factor β . Galaxy-scale double-source-plane lenses (DSPLs) are extremely rare, however. We report the discovery of four new galaxy-scale DSPL candidates in the Euclid Quick Release 1 (Q1) data. These systems were initially identified through a combination of machine-learning lens-finding models and subsequent visual inspection from citizens and experts. We applied the widel -used LensPop lens-forecasting model to predict that the full Euclid survey will discover 1700 DSPLs. This scales to 6 ± 3 DSPLs in 63 deg 2 , which is the area of Q1. The number of discoveries in this work is broadly consistent with this forecast. We present lens models for each DSPL and infer their β values. Our initial Q1 sample demonstrates that Euclid promises to discover these rare objects.

Abstract:

The Large Scale Polarization Explorer (LSPE) project, funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), includes the development of LSPE-Strip, a ground-based radio telescope for observing Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropies. LSPE-Strip, nearing its construction phase, will operate from the Teide Observatory in Tenerife, employing 49 coherent polarimeters at 43 GHz to deliver critical data on CMB anisotropies and 6 channels at 95 GHz as atmospheric monitor. On-site characterization of such advanced instruments is crucial to detect possible systematic effects, such as gain fluctuations, beam distortions, and pointing errors, that can compromise performance by introducing spurious polarizations or radiation collection from unintended directions. To address these challenges, a drone-mounted Q-band test source for on-site characterization of LSPE-Strip's polarimeter array was developed. Modern Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) offer a flexible approach for antenna pattern measurements, yet their use in high-frequency radio astronomy is not consolidated practice. In October 2022, a UAV-based measurement campaign was conducted with the TFGI instrument on the second QUIJOTE telescope in Tenerife, in collaboration with the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. This pioneering effort aimed to validate UAV-based beam characterization methods and assess QUIJOTE's performance under operational conditions. Preliminary results demonstrated high measurement accuracy, leveraging QUIJOTE's dual-receiver configuration for beam validation. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing UAV systems in preparation for LSPE-Strip's future characterization.

Abstract:

We present accurate mass measurements of the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) in NGC 4736 (M 94). We used the “gold-standard” stellar absorption features (CO band heads) at ∼2.3 μm, as opposed to gas emission lines, to trace the dynamics in the nuclear region, easily resolving the SMBH’s sphere of influence. The analysis uses observations made with the integral field unit of the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) on the James Webb Space Telescope and a surface brightness profile derived from Hubble Space Telescope archival images. We used Jeans anisotropic models within a Bayesian framework, and comprehensive Markov chain Monte Carlo optimization, to determine the best-fit black hole mass, orbital anisotropy, mass-to-light ratio, and nucleus kinematical inclination. We obtained a SMBH mass M_BH = (1.60 ± 0.16)×10⁷ M_⊙ (1σ random error), which is consistent with the M_BH–σ and M_BH–M_⋆ relations. This is the first dynamical measurement of a M_BH in NGC 4736 based on the stellar kinematics observed with NIRSpec. We thus settle a longstanding inconsistency between estimates based on nuclear emission-line tracers and the M_BH–σ relation. Our analysis shows that NIRSpec can detect SMBHs with M_BH, min ≈ 5 × 10⁶ M_⊙ in galaxies within 5 Mpc and σ ≈ 100 km s⁻¹.