On the intrinsic shape of the gamma-ray spectrum for Fermi blazars

The curvature of the γ-ray spectrum in blazars may reflect the intrinsic distribution of emitting electrons, which will further give some information on the possible acceleration and cooling processes in the emitting region. The γ-ray spectra of Fermi blazars are normally fitted either by a single power-law(PL) or a log-normal(call Logarithmic Parabola, LP) form. The possible reason for this difference is not clear. We statistically explore this issue based on the different observational properties of 1419 Fermi blazars in the 3 LAC Clean Sample. We find that the γ-ray flux(100 Me V–100 Ge V) and variability index follow bimodal distributions for PL and LP blazars, where the γ-ray flux and variability index show a positive correlation. However, the distributions of γ-ray luminosity and redshift follow a unimodal distribution. Our results suggest that the bimodal distribution of γ-ray fluxes for LP and PL blazars may not be intrinsic and all blazars may have an intrinsically curved γ-ray spectrum, and the PL spectrum is just caused by the fitting effect due to less photons.     

Prompt optical emission from gamma-ray bursts with multiple timescale variability of central engine activities

Complete high-resolution light curves of GRB 080319B observed by Swift present an opportunity for detailed temporal analysis of prompt optical emission. With a two-component distribution of initial Lorentz factors, we simulate the dynamical process of shells being ejected from the central engine in the framework of the in- ternal shock model. The emitted radiations are decomposed into different frequency ranges for a temporal correlation analysis between the light curves in different energy bands. The resulting prompt optical and gamma-ray emissions show similar tempo- ral profiles, with both showing a superposition of a component with slow variability and a component with fast variability, except that the gamma-ray light curve is much more variable than its optical counterpart. The variability in the simulated light curves and the strong correlation with a time lag between the optical and gamma-ray emis- sions are in good agreement with observations of GRB 080319B. Our simulations suggest that the variations seen in the light curves stem from the temporal structure of the shells injected from the central engine of gamma-ray bursts. Future observations with high temporal resolution of prompt optical emission from GRBs, e.g., by UFFO- Pathfinder and SVOM-GWAC, will provide a useful tool for investigating the central engine activity.     

A Quasi-periodic Oscillation of ～4.6 yr in the Radio Light Curves of Blazar PKS 0607-157

We present periodicity search analyses on long-term radio light curves at 4.8, 8, and 14.5 GHz of blazar PKS0607–157 observed by the University of Michigan Radio Astronomical Observatory telescope. The highly variable radio emissions are approximately distributed as a log-normal probability distribution function. The Power Spectral Density for the radio light curves can be well characterized by a power-law model. Using the Weighted Wavelet Z-transform and Lomb-Scargle periodogram methods, signif...     

Discovery of a deep,low mass ratio overcontact binary GSC 03517–00663

When observing blazars, we identified a new eclipsing binary named GSC03517–00663. The light curves of GSC 03517–00663 are typical of EW-type light curves. Based on the observation using the 1 m telescope at the Weihai Observatory of Shandong University, complete VRI light curves were determined. Then, we analyzed the multiple light curves using the Wilson-Devinney program. It was found that GSC 03517–00663 has a mass ratio of q = 0.164 and a degree of contact of f = 69.2%. GSC 03517–00663 is a deep, low mass ratio overcontact binary. The light curves of GSC 03517–00663 show a strong O'Connell effect, which was explained by employing a dark spot on the secondary component.     

Probing the Variation of Reverberation Lags along with X-Ray Flux in the AGN Mrk 704

Understanding the variation of lags with respect to the X-ray flux is important to explore the geometry of the inner region of the accretion disk in AGNs. We performed frequency-lag, energy–lag and spectral studies for two sets of observations, in order to investigate the variations in lags with respect to X-ray flux in the AGN source Mrk 704 using the XMM-Newton observatory. We divided one of the light curves into two sections which were noticed to exhibit a flux variation. The frequency-lag sp...     

Time delay and extended halo for constraints on the intergalactic magnetic field

Primary gamma rays emitted from extragalactic very-high-energy(VHE)sources,such as blazars,will generate cascade radiation in intergalactic space with a scale of~100 Mpc,for z~0.1 and E_γ~1 TeV.These cascades proceed through electron-positron pair production and inverse Compton(IC) scattering in the cosmic background radiation fields,mainly cosmic microwave background(CMB) radiation and extragalactic background light in the voids of the universe.The existence of an intergalactic magnetic field(IGMF) would deflect paths of electron-positron pairs that scatter CMB photons,causing some observable effects,such as time delay,an extended halo,and a spectral change.Here we reanalyze the diffusion of an electron jet deflected by IGMF and propose a unified semi-analytical model.By using publicly available data from the Fermi/LAT detector and contemporaneous TeV observations,we find that the cascade photon flux is not significantly affected by the IGMF strength for non-variable blazars when the IGMF is weaker than~10~(-16) G.This result is clearly different from previous works that analyzed the extended halo and time delay separately for non-variable blazars and flaring blazars.By applying our model to two extreme blazars(1ES 0229+200 and 1ES 1218+304),we obtain the IGMF lower limit of order≥10~(-13)~10~(-14)G in the non-variable case,which is a stronger constraint on the IGMF strength than previous works(≥10~(-16)~10~(-18)G),and≥10~(-18)~10~(-19) G in the case of flaring blazars.Furthermore,we study the light curves and extended halo of the cascade photons by considering the effects of the IGMF.     

Relation between the ＂Double-Hump＂ Behavior in the Radio Band and the Broad-Line Luminosity for Blazars

The physics behind the spectral energy distribution (SED) of blazars remains open.We assembled 36 blazars to tackle the factors that control their SED. Now, many blazar spectra have the "double hump" feature in the radio and far-IR frequencies. For these a parameter,△, is created to characterize the behavior of the SED. We found a significant correlation between the broad-line luminosity (LBLR) and △. Because LBLR is an indicator of the accreting power of the source in blazars, we derived a linear correlation,△∝ (M)1/3. 18, which suggests that the SED of blazars may depend on the accretion rate, like that of BL Lac objects. We also found a significant correlation between (m) and△ for a sample of 11 blazars (out of one of 36)with available black hole masses. This implies the Eddington accretion ratio may influence the shape of the SED of blazars.     

Relation between the “Double-Hump” Behavior in the Radio Band and the Broad-Line Luminosity for Blazars

The physics behind the spectral energy distribution (SED) of blazars remains open. We assembled 36 blazars to tackle the factors that control their SED. Now, many blazar spec- tra have the "double hump" feature in the radio and far-IR frequencies. For these a parameter, , is created to characterize the behavior of the SED. We found a significant correlation be- tween the broad-line luminosity (LBLR) and . Because LBLR is an indicator of the accreting power of the source in blazars, we derived a linear correlation, ∝ M˙1/3.18, which suggests that the SED of blazars may depend on the accretion rate, like that of BL Lac objects. We also found a significant correlation between ■ and for a sample of 11 blazars (out of one of 36) with available black hole masses. This implies the Eddington accretion ratio may influence the shape of the SED of blazars.     

Be星LQ And和EM Cep的快速光变

UBV photometric observations of LQ And and EM Cep were made with 60 cm telescope at Beijing Astronomical Observatory from 1990 to 1992. Some results are briefly summarized as follows:(1) LQ And317 data sets have been obtained. HR9011 was used as the comparison star. Combining these data with some published VBV measurements of secured during 1983-1988, an improved period of light variation has been derived, and a new ephemeris for minimum light has been suggested:T min. light = HJD 2445621.5964 0.309418 × E.(2) EM Cep277 data sets have been obtained. HD208218 was used as the comparison star. With these data a minimum light time base been derived at HJD 2448912.0452. Combining this value with all published previously, an improved linear ephemeris has been derived with a rms of 0.01382:T min. light = HJD 2440134.7338 0.8061840 x EIt is of interest to note that there is also a possibility of decrease tendency of the period. We have derived an ephemeris by using a binomial fitting with a rms of 0.01155:     

Shallow Decay of X-ray Afterglows in Short GRBs： Energy Injection from a Millisecond Magnetar？

With the successful launch of Swift satellite,more and more data of early X-ray afterglows from short gamma-ray bursts have been collected.Some interesting features such as unusual afterglow light curves and unexpected X-ray flares are revealed.Especially,in some cases,there is a fiat segment in the X-ray afterglow light curve.Here we present a simplified model in which we believe that the flattening part is due to energy injection from the central engine.We assume that this energy injection arises from the magnetic dipole radiation of a millisecond pulsar formed after the merger of two neutron stars.We check this model with the short GRB 060313.Our numerical results suggest that energy injection from a millisecond magnetar could make part of the X-ray afterglow light curve flat.     

Energy Buildup,Flux Confinement and Helicity Accumulation in the Solar Corona

Starting from a dipole field and a given distribution of footpoint displace- ment of field lines on the photosphere,we find axisymmetric,force-free field solutions in spherical coordinates that have the same distribution of normal field on the photo- sphere and magnetic topology as the dipole field.A photospheric shear is introduced in the azimuthal direction in a region that strides across the equator and ends at latitude γ_s.The footpoint displacement has a sine distribution in latitude and a peak amplitude of (?)_m.The magnetic energy E,azimuthal flux F_(?),and magnetic helicity H_T in the solar corona are then calculated for each force-free field solution.It is found that for a given shear region range γ_s,all of the three quantities increase monotoni- cally with increasing (?)_m.In particular,both F_(?) and H_T have a linear dependence on (?)m.When (?)_m reaches a certain critical value (?)_(mc),the force-free field loses equilib- rium,leading to a partial opening of the field and the appearance of a current sheet in the equatorial plane.At this point,E,F_(?)and H_T reach their maximum values, E_c,F_((?)c) and H_(Tc).E_c increases,and F_((?)c) and H_(Tc)decrease with decreasing λ_s.It is found that E_c is always smaller than the open field energy,in agreement with the Aly conjecture.Of the three critical parameters,E_c has the weakest dependence on λ_s.Therefore,if one is interested in the transition of a magnetic configuration from a stable state to a dynamic one,the magnetic energy is probably the most appropriate marker of the transition.     

Flux and spectral variation characteristics of 3C 454.3 at the GeV band

We analyze the long-term lightcurve of 3C 454.3 observed with Fermi/LAT and investigate its relation to flux in the radio,optical and X-ray bands.By fitting the 1-day binned Ge V lightcurve with multiple Gaussian functions(MGF),we propose that the typical variability timescale in the Ge V band is 1–10 d.The Ge V flux variation is accompanied by the spectral variation characterized as fluxtracking,i.e.,"harder when brighter."The Ge V flux is correlated with the optical and X-ray fluxes,and a weak correlation betweenγ-ray flux and radio flux is also observed.Theγ-ray flux is not correlated with the optical linear polarization degree for the global lightcurves,but they show a correlation for the lightcurves before MJD 56000.The power density spectrum of the global lightcurve shows an obvious turnover at~7.7 d,which may indicate a typical variability timescale of 3C 454.3 in theγ-ray band.This is also consistent with the derived timescales by fitting the global lightcurve with MGF.The spectral evolution and an increase in the optical linear polarization degree along with the increase inγ-ray flux may indicate that the radiation particles are accelerated and the magnetic field is ordered by the shock processes during the outbursts.In addition,the nature of 3C 454.3 may be consistent with a self-organized criticality system,similar to Sagittariusand thus the outbursts could be from plasmoid ejections driven by magnetic reconnection.This may further support the idea that the jet radiation regions are magnetized.     

The Role of Nuclei-Nuclei Interactions in the Production of Gamma-ray Lines in Solar Flares

Dramatic extensions of experimental possibilities (spacecraft RHESSI, CORONAS-F and others) in solar gamma-ray astronomy call for urgent, detailed theoretical consideration of a set of physical problems of solar activity and solar-terrestrial relationships that earlier may have only been outlined. Here we undertake a theoretical analysis of issues related to the production of gamma-radiation in the processes of interactions of energetic (accelerated) heavy and middle nuclei with the nuclei of the solar atmosphere (the so-called i-j interactions). We also make an estimate of the contribution of these interactions to the formation of nuclear and isotopic abundances of the solar atmosphere in the range of light and rare elements. The analysis is carried out for solar flares in the wide range of their intensities. We compare our theoretical estimates with RHESSI observations for the flare of 2002 July 23. It was shown that the 24Mg gamma-ray emission in this event was produced by the newly generated Mg nucle     

X-Ray Afterglows of GRBs 050318 and 060124 and their External Shock Origin

The observations with Swift X-ray telescope (XRT) challenge the conventional gamma-ray burst model in many aspects. The XRT light curves are generally composed of four consecutive segments, i.e., a steep decay segment, a shallow decay segment, a normal decay segment, a jet-like steep decay segment, and sometimes erratic flares as well. The phys-ical origin of the X-ray emission is highly debatable. We focus here on the physical origin of the X-ray emissions of GRBs 050318 and 060124. We present the XRT light curves and spectra of the two bursts. The light curve decay slopes of the two bursts are normal, and their relations to the spectral indices are consistent with the prediction of the standard forward shock model. The multi-wavelength light curves at 0.5keV, 1.0keV, 2.0keV and 4.0keV can be reproduced by this model with an isotropic kinetic energy Ek = 2.2×1052 erg, e = 0.04, B = 0.01 for GRB 050318 and Ek = 4.2×1053 erg, e = 0.05, B = 0.01 for GRB 060124. These facts suggest that the normal decay phases of the X-rays for the two bursts are of the forward shock origin.     

GRB 220408B: A Three-episode Burst from a Precessing Jet

Jet precession has previously been proposed to explain the apparently repeating features in the light curves of a few gamma-ray bursts(GRBs).In this paper,we further apply the precession model to a bright GRB 220408B by examining both its temporal and spectral consistency with the predictions of the model.As one of the recently confirmed GRBs observed by our GRID CubeSat mission,GRB 220408B is noteworthy as it exhibits three apparently similar emission episodes.Furthermore,the similarities are r...     

Search for giant pulses of radio pulsars at frequency 111 MHz with LPA radio telescope

We have used the unique low frequency sensitivity of the Large Phased Array(LPA) radio telescope of Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory to collect a dataset consisting of single pulse observations of second period pulsars in the Northern Hemisphere. During observation sessions in 2011–2017, we collected data on 71 pulsars at a frequency of 111 MHz using a digital pulsar receiver. We have discovered Giant Radio Pulses(GRPs) from pulsars B0301+09 and B1237+25, and confirmed earlier reported generation of anomalously strong(probable giant) pulses from B1133+16 in a statistically significant dataset. Data for these pulsars and from B0950+08 and B1112+50, earlier reported as pulsars generating GRPs, were analyzed to evaluate their behavior over long time intervals. It was found that the statistical criterion(power-law spectrum of GRP distribution of energy and peak flux density) seems not to be strict for pulsars with a low magnetic field at their light cylinder. Moreover, spectra of some of these pulsars demonstrate unstable behavior with time and have a complex multicomponent shape. In the dataset for B0950+08, we have detected the strongest GRP from a pulsar with a low magnetic field at its light cylinder ever reported, having a peak flux density as strong as 16.8 kJy.     

Searching for events in Chinese ancient records to explain the increase in ~(14)C from AD 774–775 and AD 993–994

According to analysis of the14 C content in two Japanese trees, that grew over a period of approximately 3000 years, with high time resolution, Miyake et al.found a rapid increase at AD 774–775 and another one at AD 993–994. These increases correspond to high-energy events that happened within those years and radiated γ-ray energy of about 7×1024erg toward the Earth. The origin of these events is a mystery. Such strong events should have an unusual optical counterpart, and have been recorded in historical literatures. We searched Chinese historical materials around AD 744–775 and AD 993–994, but no remarkable event was found except for a violent thunderstorm in AD 775. However, the possibility of a thunderstorm containing so much energy is unlikely. We conclude that the events, which caused the14 C increase, are still unclear. These events most probably had no optical counterpart, and a short gamma-ray burst, giant flare of a soft gamma-ray repeater or a terrestrial γ-ray flash could all be candidates.     

A new three-stage evolution model for millimeter to centimeter wavelength outbursts in BL Lacertae

The multi-frequency light curves of BL Lacertae during 1997.5 – 1999.5 have been modeled by four outbursts,each having a 3-stage evolution in the (S m,νm) plane with distinct rising–plateau–decaying phases.It is shown that the observed light curves can be well fitted for the eight frequencies from 350GHz to 4.8GHz.The main characteristics of the model-fitting are: (1) the outbursts are found to have very flat spectra with an optically thin spectral index α (defined as Sν∝ν-α) of about 0.15.This is consisten...     

Double-lined M dwarf eclipsing binaries from Catalina Sky Survey and LAMOST

Eclipsing binaries provide a unique opportunity to determine fundamental stellar properties.In the era of wide-field cameras and all-sky imaging surveys, thousands of eclipsing binaries have been reported through light curve classification, yet their basic properties remain unexplored due to the extensive efforts needed to follow them up spectroscopically. In this paper we investigate three M2-M3 type double-lined eclipsing binaries discovered by cross-matching eclipsing binaries from the Catalina Sky Survey with spectroscopically classified M dwarfs from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope survey data release one and two. Because these three M dwarf binaries are faint, we further acquire radial velocity measurements using GMOS on the Gemini North telescope with R ~4000, enabling us to determine the mass and radius of individual stellar components. By jointly fitting the light and radial velocity curves of these systems, we derive the mass and radius of the primary and secondary components of these three systems, in the range between 0.28–0.42 M⊙and 0.29–0.67 R⊙, respectively. Future observations with a high resolution spectrograph will help us pin down the uncertainties in their stellar parameters, and render these systems benchmarks to study M dwarfs, providing inputs to improving stellar models in the low mass regime, or establishing an empirical mass-radius relation for M dwarf stars.     

Non-sinusoidal transit timing variations for the exoplanet HAT-P-12b

Considering the importance of investigating the transit timing variations(TTVs) of transiting exoplanets,we present a follow-up study of HAT-P-12 b.We include six new light curves observed between2011 and 2015 from three different observatories,in association with 25 light curves taken from the published literature.The sample of the data used thus covers a time span of ～10.2 years with a large coverage of epochs(1160) for the transiting events of the exoplanet HAT-P-12 b.The light curves are utilized to determine the orbital parameters and conduct an investigation of possible TTVs.The new linear ephemeris shows a large value of reduced χ~2,i.e.X~2_(red)(23)=7.93,and the sinusoidal fitting using the prominent frequency coming from a periodogram shows a reduced χ~2 around 4.Based on these values and the corresponding O-C diagrams,we suspect the presence of a possible non-sinusoidal TTV in this planetary system.Finally,we find that a scenario with an additional non-transiting exoplanet could explain this TTV with an even smaller reduced χ~2 value of around 2.