DOCSLIB.ORG

Black Hole Binaries in Our Galaxy: Understanding Their Population and Rapid X-Ray Variability by Kavitha Arur, M.Phys, M.Sc a Di

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Black Hole Binaries in Our Galaxy: Understanding Their Population and Rapid X-Ray Variability by Kavitha Arur, M.Phys, M.Sc a Di Black hole binaries in our Galaxy: Understanding their population and rapid X-ray variability by Kavitha Arur, M.Phys, M.Sc A Dissertation In Physics Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved Thomas J. Maccarone Chairperson of the Committee Benjamin Owen Simone Scaringi James F. Steiner Beth Thacker Mark Sheridan Dean of the Graduate School May 2020 c 2020, Kavitha Arur Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First I would like to thank my advisor, Prof. Tom Maccarone for the many years of support and encouragement, especially when it came to voicing my ideas. Thank you for teaching me so much, and for always believing in me. I could not have asked for a better mentor! I would also like to thank my committee members for participating in my defense and approving this dissertation. This work would not have been possible without the extensive HEASARC data archives, the Astrophysics Database System (ADS), arxiv.org, endless cups of tea and Stackoverflow who have helped me and many other PhD students get their research done. I am also incredibly grateful to the wider X-ray astronomy com- munity, who have been incredibly encouraging throughout my PhD. I also want to thank Adam, Phil and Jack for all their help during the job application process. Coming to TTU has been one of the best decisions I have made, and this is largely because of the wonderful people I have met. A huge thank you to Chris Britt, Paul Sell, Denija Crnojevic, Lennart van Haaften, Michael Holcomb, Rob Coyne, Ra Inta, Liliana Rivera Sandoval, Dario Carbone, Robert Morehead and Anna McLeod for always cheering me on, and always being willing to help me out. An extra spe- cial thank you to the most amazing group of ladies (Denija, Bonnie, Beth, Kris Coyne, Kristen Holcomb, Jess, Pam, Lili, Anna, Nipuni) who kept me going even when things were hard. Thanks for all the laughs, hugs, advice and chocolate. You guys are the best! I also want to thank Manuel, Deven, JP, Matteo, Arvind, Binod, and everyone else in this amazing TTU group - thank you for making Lubbock truly feel like home during these PhD years. I also have to mention the various D&D groups (both in Lubbock and in the UK) that I am fortunate to have been a part of - thank you for all the amazing memories and for keeping me entertained and sane! ii Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 Huge thanks to my parents, grandparents and other family members for their endless support. Thanks also to Lavanya, Abishek, Samiksha, Sindhuja and Sarah for keeping in touch and cheering me on from thousands of miles away. I would also like to express my gratitude to my fellow TANASTRO members, who have always encouraged me to study the stars. And finally, thank you Paul for your endless love and support. I am so glad that we are a team, and that we could do this together. iii Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 STATEMENT OF WORK Chapters 2,3 and 4 of this dissertation have been published in the Monthly No- tices of the Royal Astronomical Society as articles co-authored by Kavitha Arur and Thomas Maccarone. Thomas Maccarone and Kavitha Arur worked together to define the scope of the project and on the interpretation of the results. Kavitha Arur performed the data analysis and wrote up the results, with comments from Thomas Maccarone. iv Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments . ii Statement of work . iv Abstract . ix List of Figures . xi 1. Introduction ..................................1 1.1 Black Hole X-ray Binaries . .1 1.2 Population of BHXBs . .3 1.3 Properties of BHXBs . .5 1.3.1 Spectral Properties . .5 1.3.2 Timing Properties . 10 1.4 Quasi-Periodic Oscillations . 11 1.4.1 QPO Models . 12 1.5 Non-linear Variability . 14 1.6 Higher Order Statistics . 15 1.6.1 Bispectrum . 16 1.6.2 Biphase . 16 1.6.3 Bicoherence . 17 1.6.4 Calculating the bicoherence . 19 1.7 RXTE . 20 1.8 Outline of this dissertation . 21 2. Selection Effects on the Orbital Period Distribution of Low Mass Black Hole X-ray Binaries ........................ 22 2.1 Abstract . 22 2.2 Introduction . 22 2.3 Data set and correction of selection effects . 25 2.3.1 Galaxy model and data set . 25 2.3.2 Extinction of Optical Counterpart . 26 2.3.3 Detection of the X-ray outburst . 27 2.3.4 Probability of outburst detection . 27 v Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 2.3.5 Implied Orbital Period Distribution using Observational Data . 31 2.4 Monte Carlo Simulation . 33 2.4.1 Generation of simulated sources . 33 2.4.2 Optical counterpart detection . 35 2.4.3 Probability of an X-ray outburst and its detection . 36 2.4.4 Implied Orbital Period Distribution using Simulated Data 36 2.4.5 Effect of mass transfer on the companion . 36 2.5 Discussion . 38 2.6 Conclusions . 41 3. Nonlinear Variability of Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in GX 339-4 ... 42 3.1 Abstract . 42 3.2 Introduction . 42 3.3 Bicoherence . 44 3.4 Data Overview . 45 3.4.1 QPO Classification . 46 3.5 Results . 46 3.5.1 Bicoherence Patterns . 46 3.5.1.1 The ‘hypotenuse’ pattern . 47 3.5.1.2 The ‘web’ pattern . 47 3.5.2 Type B QPOs . 48 3.5.3 Type A QPOs . 49 3.5.4 Evolution during state transition . 51 3.5.5 Reconstructing the QPO waveforms . 54 3.6 Discussion . 56 3.6.1 Physical Interpretation . 56 3.6.1.1 Is this a reasonable value for τ?............ 59 3.7 Conclusions . 60 4. A Likely Inclination Dependence in the Non-linear Variability of Quasi Periodic Oscillations from Black Hole Binaries ....... 61 4.1 Abstract . 61 4.2 Introduction . 61 vi Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 4.3 Statistical Methods . 63 4.3.1 Bicoherence . 63 4.3.2 Biphase . 64 4.4 Observations and Data Reduction . 65 4.4.1 Data Sample . 65 4.4.2 Data Reduction and Analysis . 66 4.5 Results . 67 4.5.1 Bicoherence Patterns . 67 4.5.1.1 Hypotenuse . 67 4.5.1.2 Cross . 67 4.5.1.3 Web . 68 4.5.2 Evolution of type C QPOs . 69 4.5.2.1 Low inclination sources . 69 4.5.2.2 High inclination sources . 71 4.5.2.3 Hardening phase of the outburst . 71 4.5.2.4 Intermediate inclination sources . 73 4.5.2.5 Quantifying the inclination dependence . 75 4.5.3 Statistical Significance . 75 4.5.4 Type B QPOs . 77 4.6 Discussion . 77 4.6.1 Low inclination . 77 4.6.2 High inclination . 79 4.6.3 Variation of the optical depth with QPO phase . 80 4.6.4 Optical depth and geometry of the corona . 82 4.6.5 Caveats . 84 4.7 Conclusions . 85 5. Summary and Outlook ............................ 87 5.1 Summary . 87 5.2 Future Work . 89 5.2.1 Black Holes . 89 5.2.2 Neutron stars . 91 5.2.3 Cataclysmic variables . 93 vii Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 5.2.4 Active Galactic Nuclei . 95 5.2.5 Three wave interactions in the solar wind . 96 5.2.6 Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background . 97 5.3 Current and Future Missions . 97 5.3.1 NICER . 97 5.3.2 STROBE-X . 98 5.3.3 eXTP . 99 5.4 Concluding remarks . 100 Appendix A. Details of Observations Analysed in Chapter 3 ....... 135 Appendix B. Details of Observations Analysed in Chapter 4 ....... 138 Appendix C. Duffing Oscillator ........................ 157 viii Texas Tech University, Kavitha Arur, May 2020 ABSTRACT One of the fundamental problems in the field of high energy astrophysics is con- straining the formation and evolution of compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars in binary systems. The physics of accretion onto compact objects has profound impacts on our understanding of processes such as mergers of binary compact objects, production of type Ia supernovae and the formation of millisec- ond pulsars. On larger scales, the structure and star formation properties of galax- ies can be influenced by accretion onto super-massive black holes. Progress in this field requires both a global study of the X-ray binaries as a population, as well as detailed characterization of individual systems. Population synthesis models predict thousands of black hole binaries in our Galaxy. However, only ∼20 such objects have been confirmed. One potential ex- planation for this discrepancy is the presence of observational biases that prevent a large fraction of these objects from being detected. The work presented in this dis- sertation shows that these selection effects can account for a signification portion of black hole binaries, especially those with short orbital periods, being undetected. Despite these promising results, large uncertainties still exist in our knowledge of the Galactic binary population as details of the accretion physics that govern binary evolution are still not well understood. Studies of rapid X-ray variability provide an excellent method of probing the ge- ometry and the physical processes that dominate in the accretion disks, especially close to the central black hole. In order to properly interpret the observed vari- ability, sophisticated timing analysis techniques are needed. In this dissertation, I present the first systematic analysis of a novel higher order timing analysis tech- nique known as the bispectrum, to understand rapid X-ray variability from black hole binaries.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Neutron-Star Merger Yields New Puzzle for Astrophysicists 18 January 2018
    Neutron-star merger yields new puzzle for astrophysicists 18 January 2018 group led the new study. "This one is different; it's definitely not a simple, plain-Jane narrow jet." Cocoon theory The new data could be explained using more complicated models for the remnants of the neutron star merger. One possibility: the merger launched a jet that shock-heated the surrounding gaseous debris, creating a hot 'cocoon' around the jet that has glowed in X-rays and radio light for many This graphic shows the X-ray counterpart to the months. gravitational wave source GW170817, produced by the merger of two neutron stars. The left image is the sum of The X-ray observations jibe with radio-wave data observations with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory reported last month by another team of scientists, taken in late August and early Sept. 2017, and the right which found that those emissions from the collision image is the sum of Chandra observations taken in early also continued to brighten over time. Dec. 2017. The X-ray counterpart to GW170817 is shown to the upper left of its host galaxy, NGC 4993, located about 130 million light years from Earth. The While radio telescopes were able to monitor the counterpart has become about four times brighter over afterglow throughout the fall, X-ray and optical three months. GW170817 was first observed on Aug. 17, observatories were unable to watch it for around 2017. Credit: NASA/CXC/McGill/J.Ruan et al. three months, because that point in the sky was too close to the Sun during that period.
    [Show full text]
  • Thomas J. Maccarone Texas Tech
    Thomas J. Maccarone PERSONAL Born August 26, 1974, Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA INFORMATION US Citizen CONTACT Department of Physics & Astronomy Voice: +1-806-742-3778 INFORMATION Texas Tech University Lubbock TX 79409 E-mail: [email protected] RESEARCH Compact object populations, especially in globular clusters; accretion and ejection physics; time INTERESTS series analysis methodology PROFESSIONAL Texas Tech University EXPERIENCE Lubbock, Texas Presidential Research Excellence Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy August 2018-present Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy August 2017- August 2018 Associate Professor, Department of Physics January 2013 - August 2017 University of Southampton Southampton, UK Lecturer, then Reader, School of Physics and Astronomy July 2005-December 2012 University of Amsterdam Amsterdam, The Netherlands Postdoctoral researcher May 2003 - June 2005 SISSA (Scuola Internazionale di Studi Avanazti/International School for Advanced Studies) Trieste, Italy Postdoctoral researcher November 2001 - April 2003 Yale University New Haven, Connecticut USA Research Assistant May 1997 - August 2001 Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, California USA Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow June 1994 - August 1994 EDUCATION Yale University, New Haven, CT USA Department of Astronomy Ph.D., December 2001 Dissertation Title: “Constraints on Black Hole Emission Mechanisms” Advisor: Paolo S. Coppi M.S., M.Phil., Astronomy, May 1999 California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California USA B.S., Physics, June, 1996 HONORS AND Integrated Scholar, Designation from Texas Tech for faculty who integrate teaching, research and AWARDS service activities together, 2020 Professor of the Year Award, Texas Tech Society of Physics Students, 2017, 2019 Dirk Brouwer Prize from Yale University for “a contribution of unusual merit to any branch of astronomy,” 2003 Harry A.
    [Show full text]
  • NL#135 May/June
    May/June 2007 Issue 135 A Publication for the members of the American Astronomical Society 3 IOP to Publish President’s Column AAS Journals J. Craig Wheeler, [email protected] Whew! A lot has happened! 5 Member Deaths First, my congratulations to John Huchra who was elected to be the next President of the Society. John will formally become President-Elect at the meeting in Hawaii. He will then take over as President at the meeting in St. Louis in June of 2008 and I will serve as Past-President until the 6 Pasadena meeting in June of 2009. We have hired a consultant to lead a one-day Council retreat before the Hawaii meeting to guide the Council toward a more strategic outlook for the Society. Seattle Meeting John has generously agreed to join that effort. I know he will put his energy, intellect, and experience Highlights behind the health and future of the Society. We had a short, intense, and very professional process to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to 10 publish the Astrophysical Journal and the Astronomical Journal, to evaluate the proposals, and Award Winners to select a vendor. We are very pleased that the IOP Publishing will be the new publisher of our cherished and prestigious journals and are very optimistic that our new partnership will lead to in Seattle a necessary and valuable evolution of what it means to publish science journals in the globally- connected electronic age. 11 The complex RFP defining our journals and our aspirations for them was put together by a team International consisting of AAS representatives and outside independent consultants.
    [Show full text]
  • First Circular
    First Circular With great pleasure we announce the first circular for the international confer- ence The Structure and Signals of Neutron Stars, from Birth to Death, to be held in Florence, Italy from March 24-28, 2014. The conference is affili- ated with a six week workshop of the same title to be held at the Galileo Galilei Institute, also in Florence, from March 10-April 18, 2014. The study of neutron stars represents an active field of both observational and theoretical research, requiring the expertise of scientists across a range of disciplines, including astrophysics, nuclear and particle physics and Gravitational Wave (GW) physics. A conference dedicated to all facets of neutron stars is particularly relevant at this moment, given recent advances such as • The discovery of massive neutron stars, which has placed new constraints on the equation of state (EoS) of dense matter. • Observations of cooling of the young NS in Cas A, hinting at a transition to neutron superfluidity. • Gravitational wave interferometers LIGO and Virgo being upgraded to ad- vanced sensitivity, and starting to take data as soon as 2015. • New observations challenging models for Gamma Ray Bursts and their cen- tral engines. New observations of core collapse supernovae, showing an un- expected diversity in their explosion mechanisms. • New lab experiments testing matter at high density and temperature that will start taking data in 2015 (NICA - Dubna). • The discovery of a magnetar near the Galactic center. This conference aims to bring together astronomers from across the electro- magnetic and GW spectrum who are interested in observations that can constrain the neutron star EoS, as well as nuclear physicists interested in the behavior of matter at high densities.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae Vicky (Vassiliki) Kalogera
    Curriculum Vitae Vicky (Vassiliki) Kalogera Northwestern University E-mail : [email protected] Phone : (847) 491-5669 Dept of Physics & Astronomy Fax : (847) 467-0679 Address : Technological Institute F234, CIERA - Center for Interdisciplinary 2145 Sheridan Rd., Exploration and Research in Astrophysics Evanston, IL 60208 EDUCATION 1992 { 1997 Ph.D. in Astronomy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ph.D. Thesis: \Formation of Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries" Advisor: Prof. Ronald F. Webbink (Univ. of Illinois) 1988 { 1992 Ptihio (B.S.) in Physics, University of Thessaloniki, Greece Diploma Thesis: \Investigations of the Intrinsic Properties of Cataclysmic Binaries" Advisors: Profs. Jan van Paradijs (Univ. of Amsterdam) and John H. Seiradakis (Univ. of Thessaloniki) RESEARCH INTERESTS Astrophysics of Compact Objects (White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars, and Black Holes) Populations of Compact Objects in Binaries and Massive Stars, as Gravitational-Wave Sources, X-ray Binaries, Binary Pulsars, Gamma-Ray Bursts, Supernovae and Supernova Progenitors Formation and Evolution of Binary Systems with Compact Objects in the Milky Way and other galaxies, in Fields and Dense Stellar Environments Time-Domain, Gravitational-Wave, and Transient Astrophysics Advanced Data Analysis and Inference Methods EMPLOYMENT 2017 { Daniel I. Linzer Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Physics and Astronomy 2012 { Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA), Northwestern Univ. 2009 { 2017 E. O. Haven Professor
    [Show full text]
  • Université De Montréal Nouvelles Observations Et Techniques D
    Université de Montréal Nouvelles observations et techniques d’apprentissage automatique appliquées aux galaxies et aux amas de galaxies par Carter Rhea Département de Physique Faculté des arts et des sciences Mémoire présenté en vue de l’obtention du grade de Maître ès sciences (M.Sc.) en Astrophysique et Astronomie October 21, 2020 c Carter Rhea, 2020 Université de Montréal Faculté des arts et des sciences Ce mémoire intitulé Nouvelles observations et techniques d’apprentissage automatique appliquées aux galaxies et aux amas de galaxies présenté par Carter Rhea a été évalué par un jury composé des personnes suivantes : Pierre Bergeron (président-rapporteur) Julie Hlavacek-Larrondo (directeur de recherche) Daryl Haggard (membre du jury) Résumé Les amas de galaxies sont l’une des plus grandes structures dans l’univers et jouent le rôle d’hôte de plusieurs phénomènes complexes. Bien qu’il existe beaucoup d’études portant sur leur formation et leur évolution, l’avènement récent de l’apprentissage automatique en as- tronomie nous permet d’investiguer des questions qui, jusqu’à maintenant, demeuraient sans réponse. Même si ce mémoire se concentre sur l’application de techniques d’apprentissage automatique aux observations en rayons X des amas de galaxies, nous explorons l’usage de ces techniques à son homologue à une échelle réduite : les galaxies elles-mêmes. Malgré le fait que les trois articles présentés dans ce mémoire se concentrent sur différents aspects de la physique, sur de différentes échelles et sur de différentes techniques, ils forment une base d’études que je continuerai pendant mon doctorat : l’usage des nouvelles techniques pour investiguer la physique des régions galactiques et extragalactiques.
    [Show full text]
  • Dense Matter with Extp Arxiv
    UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Dense matter with eXTP Watts, A.L.; Riley, T.E.; Degenaar, N.; Di Salvo, T.; Homan, J.; Stappers, B.; eXTP Mission DOI 10.1007/s11433-017-9188-4 Publication date 2019 Document Version Submitted manuscript Published in Science China: Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Watts, A. L., Riley, T. E., Degenaar, N., Di Salvo, T., Homan, J., Stappers, B., & eXTP Mission (2019). Dense matter with eXTP. Science China: Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy, 62(2), [29503]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-017-9188-4 General rights It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (https://dare.uva.nl) Download date:05 Oct 2021 Watts A L, Yu W, Poutanen J, Zhang S, etSCIENCE al Sci.
    [Show full text]
  • A Strongly Heated Neutron Star in the Transient Z Source Maxi J0556-332
    A STRONGLY HEATED NEUTRON STAR IN THE TRANSIENT Z SOURCE MAXI J0556-332 The MIT Faculty has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. Citation Homan, Jeroen, Joel K. Fridriksson, Rudy Wijnands, Edward M. Cackett, Nathalie Degenaar, Manuel Linares, Dacheng Lin, and Ronald A. Remillard. “A STRONGLY HEATED NEUTRON STAR IN THE TRANSIENT Z SOURCE MAXI J0556-332.” The Astrophysical Journal 795, no. 2 (October 22, 2014): 131. © 2014 The American Astronomical Society As Published http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/795/2/131 Publisher IOP Publishing Version Final published version Citable link http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/94549 Terms of Use Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. The Astrophysical Journal, 795:131 (12pp), 2014 November 10 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/795/2/131 C 2014. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. A STRONGLY HEATED NEUTRON STAR IN THE TRANSIENT Z SOURCE MAXI J0556–332 Jeroen Homan1, Joel K. Fridriksson2, Rudy Wijnands2, Edward M. Cackett3, Nathalie Degenaar4, Manuel Linares5,6, Dacheng Lin7, and Ronald A. Remillard1 1 MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, 77 Massachusetts Avenue 37-582D, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; [email protected] 2 Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy, University of Amsterdam, Postbus 94249, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3 Department of Physics & Astronomy, Wayne
    [Show full text]
  • The Black Hole Candidate IGR J17091-3624 Going to Quiescence
    UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) The black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624 going to quiescence Altamirano, D.; Wijnands, R.; Belloni, T. Publication date 2013 Document Version Final published version Published in The astronomer's telegram Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Altamirano, D., Wijnands, R., & Belloni, T. (2013). The black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624 going to quiescence. The astronomer's telegram, 5112. http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=5112 General rights It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (https://dare.uva.nl) Download date:24 Sep 2021 ATel #5112: The black hole candidate IGR J17091-3624 going to quiescence This space for free for your Outside GCN conference.
    [Show full text]
  • Rino Giordano
    Chandra News Issue 26, Summer 2019 20 Years of Chandra The X-Rays Also Rise Raffaella Margutti, Wen-fai Fong, Daryl Haggard Article on Page 1 Celebrating 20 Years of Chandra The year 2019 marks 20 years of superb performance by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The CXC is planning a number of events and products for the science community and the general public. We give you an overview of plans on page 12. Complete up-to-date calendar of events http://cxc.cfa.harvard.edu/cdo/chandra20/ 20 Years of Chandra Science Symposium, Dec. 3–6 http://cxc.harvard.edu/symposium_2019/ Table of Contents The X-rays Also Rise: Chandra Observations of GW170817 Mark the Dawn of X-ray Studies of Gravitational Wave Sources � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1 Director’s Log, Chandra Date: 670723206 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8 Project Scientist’s Report� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 9 Project Manager’s Report � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 11 Twenty Years of Chandra Celebrations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12 Remembering Riccardo Giacconi: The Father of X-ray Astronomy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 12 ACIS Update � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 17 HRC Update � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �
    [Show full text]
  • Event Horizon Telescope: the Black Hole Seen Round the World
    EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE: THE BLACK HOLE SEEN ROUND THE WORLD HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION MAY 16, 2019 Serial No. 116–19 Printed for the use of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://science.house.gov U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 36–301PDF WASHINGTON : 2019 COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas, Chairwoman ZOE LOFGREN, California FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma, DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois Ranking Member SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon MO BROOKS, Alabama AMI BERA, California, BILL POSEY, Florida Vice Chair RANDY WEBER, Texas CONOR LAMB, Pennsylvania BRIAN BABIN, Texas LIZZIE FLETCHER, Texas ANDY BIGGS, Arizona HALEY STEVENS, Michigan ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas KENDRA HORN, Oklahoma RALPH NORMAN, South Carolina MIKIE SHERRILL, New Jersey MICHAEL CLOUD, Texas BRAD SHERMAN, California TROY BALDERSON, Ohio STEVE COHEN, Tennessee PETE OLSON, Texas JERRY MCNERNEY, California ANTHONY GONZALEZ, Ohio ED PERLMUTTER, Colorado MICHAEL WALTZ, Florida PAUL TONKO, New York JIM BAIRD, Indiana BILL FOSTER, Illinois JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington DON BEYER, Virginia JENNIFFER GONZA´ LEZ-COLO´ N, Puerto CHARLIE CRIST, Florida Rico SEAN CASTEN, Illinois VACANCY KATIE HILL, California BEN MCADAMS, Utah JENNIFER WEXTON, Virginia (II) CONTENTS May 16, 2019 Page Hearing Charter .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Dr Anna Watts
    Dr Anna Watts School of Mathematics - Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam Beyond star gazing. Anna’s career in astrophysics Winning a place on a space science summer school was a life-changing experience for astrophysicist Anna Watts. “Although I always liked solving problems, my interest in Physics only really started with my A levels,” she admits. “But this two week course at Brunel University convinced me that I wanted to make science my career.” Anna was advised to get a good degree in Physics first, then specialise in astrophysics. She went to Merton College, Oxford and enjoyed her time there: “It was a small, friendly college and I had fantastic tutors. I come from the north of England and wondered what Oxford would be like but I loved it.” After graduation, not sure an academic career was for her, Anna decided to get a job and signed up for the Ministry of Defence civil service fast track science stream: “I stayed there for five years and learned a lot. We worked in a wide range of areas and they moved us around to several sites. But eventually, I realised I missed the science too much to stay.” During her work with the MoD, Anna met her future husband, fellow scientist Jason Farquhar. Both decided to resign at the same time and study for PhDs, coincidentally both at Southampton. “This was a big decision and I knew I had to go to the right place and find the right supervisor. I asked my former tutors at Oxford for advice and they reckoned I’d enjoy working with Professor Nils Andersson at Southampton.” Anna’s doctorate involved investigating neutron stars, some of the most compact objects in the universe, and the gravitational and electromagnetic radiation they emit.
    [Show full text]