Rubin-LSST

Abstract:

In recent years there has been much debate, both observational and theoretical, about the nature of star formation at high redshift. In particular, there seems to be strong evidence of a greatly enhanced star formation rate early in the Universe's evolution. Simulations investigating the nature of the first stars indicate that these were large, with masses in excess of 100 solar masses. By the use of a chemical model, we have simulated the molecular signature of massive star formation for a range of redshifts, using different input models of metallicity in the early Universe. We find that, as long as the number of massive stars exceeds that in the Milky Way by factor of at least 1000, then several 'hot-core' like molecules should have detectable emission. Although we predict that such signatures should already be partly detectable with current instruments (e.g. with the VLA), facilities such as ALMA will make this kind of observation possible at the highest redshifts. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Abstract:

We present deep optical and infrared (IR) observations of the short-duration GRB 050906. Although no X-ray or optical/IR afterglow was discovered to deep limits, the error circle of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) (as derived from the Swift Burst Alert Telescope, or BAT) is unusual in containing the relatively local starburst galaxy IC328. This makes GRB 050906 a candidate burst from a soft gamma-ray repeater (SGR), similar to the giant flare from SGR 1806-20. The probability of chance alignment of a given BAT position with such a galaxy is small (≲1 per cent), although the size of the error circle (2.6 arcmin radius) is such that a higher z origin cannot be ruled out. Indeed, the error circle also includes a moderately rich galaxy cluster at z = 0.43, which is a plausible location for the burst given the apparent preference that short-duration GRBs have for regions of high mass density. No residual optical or IR emission has been observed, in the form of either an afterglow or a later time emission from any associated supernova-like event. We discuss the constraints these limits place on the progenitor of GRB 050906 based on the expected optical signatures from both SGRs and merging compact object systems. © 2008 RAS.

Abstract:

Near-infrared (NIR) and optical polarimetric observations of a selection of X-ray binaries are presented. The targets were observed using the Very Large Telescope and the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope. We detect a significant level (3σ) of linear polarization in four sources. The polarization is found to be intrinsic (at the >3σ level) in two sources; GRO J1655-40 (∼4-7 per cent in the H and Ks bands during an outburst) and Sco X-1 (∼0.1-0.9 per cent in the H and K bands), which is stronger at lower frequencies. This is likely to be the signature of optically thin synchrotron emission from the collimated jets in these systems, whose presence indicates that a partially ordered magnetic field is present at the inner regions of the jets. In Sco X-1, the intrinsic polarization is variable (and sometimes absent) in the H and K bands. In the J band (i.e. at higher frequencies), the polarization is not significantly variable and is consistent with an interstellar origin. The optical light from GX 339-4 is also polarized, but at a level and position angle consistent with scattering by interstellar dust. The other polarized source is SS 433, which has a low level (0.5-0.8 per cent) of J-band polarization, likely due to local scattering. The NIR counterparts of GRO J0422+32, XTE J1118+480, 4U 0614+09 and Aql X-1 (which were all in or near quiescence) have a linear polarization level of <16 per cent (3σ upper limit, some are <6 per cent). We discuss how such observations may be used to constrain the ordering of the magnetic field close to the base of the jet in such systems. © 2008 The Authors.