Showing papers by "Sloan Fellows published in 2012"

Obliquities of Hot Jupiter host stars: Evidence for tidal interactions and primordial misalignments

Abstract: We provide evidence that the obliquities of stars with close-in giant planets were initially nearly random, and that the low obliquities that are often observed are a consequence of star-planet tidal interactions. The evidence is based on 14 new measurements of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect (for the systems HAT-P-6, HAT-P-7, HAT-P-16, HAT-P-24, HAT-P-32, HAT-P-34, WASP-12, WASP-16, WASP-18, WASP-19, WASP-26, WASP-31, Gl 436, and Kepler-8), as well as a critical review of previous observations. The low-obliquity (well-aligned) systems are those for which the expected tidal timescale is short, and likewise the high-obliquity (misaligned and retrograde) systems are those for which the expected timescale is long. At face value, this finding indicates that the origin of hot Jupiters involves dynamical interactions like planet-planet interactions or the Kozai effect that tilt their orbits rather than inspiraling due to interaction with a protoplanetary disk. We discuss the status of this hypothesis and the observations that are needed for a more definitive conclusion.

DEMOGRAPHICS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF GAS OUTFLOWS/INFLOWS AT 0.4 < z < 1.4

Abstract: We present Keck/LRIS spectra of over 200 galaxies with well-determined redshifts between 0.4 and 1.4. We combine new measurements of near-ultraviolet, low-ionization absorption lines with previously measured masses, luminosities, colors, and star formation rates to describe the demographics and properties of galactic flows. Among star-forming galaxies with blue colors, we find a net blueshift of the Fe II absorption greater than 200 km s{sup -1} (100 km s{sup -1}) toward 2.5% (20%) of the galaxies. The fraction of blueshifted spectra does not vary significantly with stellar mass, color, or luminosity but does decline at specific star formation rates less than roughly 0.8 Gyr{sup -1}. The insensitivity of the blueshifted fraction to galaxy properties requires collimated outflows at these redshifts, while the decline in outflow fraction with increasing blueshift might reflect the angular dependence of the outflow velocity. The low detection rate of infalling gas, 3%-6% of the spectra, suggests an origin in (enriched) streams favorably aligned with our sightline. We find that four of these nine infalling streams have projected velocities commensurate with the kinematics of an extended disk or satellite galaxy. The strength of the Mg II absorption increases with stellar mass, B-band luminosity, and U - B color,more » trends arising from a combination of more interstellar absorption at the systemic velocity and less emission filling in more massive galaxies. Our results provide a new quantitative understanding of gas flows between galaxies and the circumgalactic medium over a critical period in galaxy evolution.« less

THE PROPERTIES AND PREVALENCE OF GALACTIC OUTFLOWS AT z ∼ 1 IN THE EXTENDED GROTH STRIP*

Abstract: We investigate galactic-scale outflowing winds in 72 star-forming galaxies at z ~ 1 in the Extended Groth Strip. Galaxies were selected from the DEEP2 survey and follow-up LRIS spectroscopy was obtained covering Si II, C IV, Fe II, Mg II, and Mg I lines in the rest-frame ultraviolet. Using Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and Spitzer imaging available for the Extended Groth Strip, we examine galaxies on a per-object basis in order to better understand both the prevalence of galactic outflows at z ~ 1 and the star-forming and structural properties of objects experiencing outflows. Gas velocities, measured from the centroids of Fe II interstellar absorption lines, are found to span the interval [–217, +155] km s–1. We find that ~40% (10%) of the sample exhibits blueshifted Fe II lines at the 1σ (3σ) level. We also measure maximal outflow velocities using the profiles of the Fe II and Mg II lines; we find that Mg II frequently traces higher velocity gas than Fe II. Using quantitative morphological parameters derived from the HST imaging, we find that mergers are not a prerequisite for driving outflows. More face-on galaxies also show stronger winds than highly inclined systems, consistent with the canonical picture of winds emanating perpendicular to galactic disks. In light of clumpy galaxy morphologies, we develop a new physically motivated technique for estimating areas corresponding to star formation. We use these area measurements in tandem with GALEX-derived star formation rates (SFRs) to calculate SFR surface densities. At least 70% of the sample exceeds an SFR surface density of 0.1 M ☉ yr–1 kpc–2, the threshold necessary for driving an outflow in local starbursts. At the same time, the outflow detection fraction of only 40% in Fe II absorption provides further evidence for an outflow geometry that is not spherically symmetric. We see a ~3σ trend between outflow velocity and SFR surface density, but no significant trend between outflow velocity and SFR. Higher resolution data are needed in order to test the scaling relations between outflow velocity and both SFR and SFR surface density predicted by theory.

The lick agn monitoring project: recalibrating single-epoch virial black hole mass estimates

Abstract: We investigate the calibration and uncertainties of black hole (BH) mass estimates based on the single-epoch (SE) method, using homogeneous and high-quality multi-epoch spectra obtained by the Lick Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) Monitoring Project for nine local Seyfert 1 galaxies with BH masses <10{sup 8} M{sub Sun }. By decomposing the spectra into their AGNs and stellar components, we study the variability of the SE H{beta} line width (full width at half-maximum intensity, FWHM{sub H{beta}} or dispersion, {sigma}{sub H{beta}}) and of the AGN continuum luminosity at 5100 A (L{sub 5100}). From the distribution of the 'virial products' ({proportional_to} FWHM{sub H{beta}}{sup 2} L{sup 0.5}{sub 5100} or {sigma}{sub H{beta}}{sup 2} L{sup 0.5}{sub 5100}) measured from SE spectra, we estimate the uncertainty due to the combined variability as {approx}0.05 dex (12%). This is subdominant with respect to the total uncertainty in SE mass estimates, which is dominated by uncertainties in the size-luminosity relation and virial coefficient, and is estimated to be {approx}0.46 dex (factor of {approx}3). By comparing the H{beta} line profile of the SE, mean, and root-mean-square (rms) spectra, we find that the H{beta} line is broader in the mean (and SE) spectra than in the rms spectra by {approx}0.1 dex (25%)more » for our sample with FWHM{sub H{beta}} <3000 km s{sup -1}. This result is at variance with larger mass BHs where the difference is typically found to be much less than 0.1 dex. To correct for this systematic difference of the H{beta} line profile, we introduce a line-width dependent virial factor, resulting in a recalibration of SE BH mass estimators for low-mass AGNs.« less

HAT-P-39b-HAT-P-41b: THREE HIGHLY INFLATED TRANSITING HOT JUPITERS ∗

Abstract: We report the discovery of three new transiting extrasolar planets orbiting moderately bright (V = 11.1, 11.7, and 12.4) F stars. The planets HAT-P-39b through HAT-P-41b have periods of P = 3.5439 days, 4.4572 days, and 2.6940 days, masses of 0.60 M_J, 0.62 M_J, and 0.80 M_J, and radii of 1.57 R_J, 1.73 R_J, and 1.68 R_J, respectively. They orbit stars with masses of 1.40 M_☉, 1.51 M_☉, and 1.51 M_☉, respectively. The three planets are members of an emerging population of highly inflated Jupiters with 0.4 M_J 1.5 R_J.

The physics of the neutrino mechanism of core-collapse supernovae

Abstract: Although it is known that the stalled accretion shock in models of core-collapse supernovae turns into explosion when the neutrino luminosity from the proto-neutron star (PNS) exceeds a critical value (L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core}) (the 'neutrino mechanism'), the physics of L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core} has never been systematically explored. We solve the accretion problem between the PNS surface and the accretion shock. We quantify the deep connection between the general problem of accretion flows with bounding shocks and the neutrino mechanism. In particular, we show that there is a maximum, critical sound speed above which the shock jump conditions cannot be satisfied and steady-state accretion is impossible. This physics is general and does not depend on a specific heating mechanism. For the simple model of pressure-less free fall onto a shock bounding an isothermal accretion flow, we show that shock solutions are possible only for sound speed c{sub T} < c{sup crit}{sub T} and that c{sup 2}{sub T}/v{sub esc}{sup 2} = 3/16 = 0.1875 at c{sup crit}{sub T}. We generalize this result to the supernova problem, showing that the same physics determines L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core}. The critical condition for explosion can be written as c{sup 2}{sub S}/v{sup 2}{sub esc} {approx_equal} 0.19, wheremore » c{sub S} is the adiabatic sound speed. This 'antesonic' condition describes L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core} over a broad range of parameters, and other criteria proposed in the literature fail to capture this physics. We show that the accretion luminosity reduces L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core} non-trivially. A larger PNS radius decreases L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core}, implying that a stiff high-density equation of state may be preferred. Finally, using an analytic model, we provide evidence that the reduction of L{sup crit}{sub {nu},core} seen in recent multi-dimensional simulations results from reduced cooling efficiency, rather than an increased heating rate.« less

Cosmic Dust in Mg II Absorbers

Abstract: Mg II absorbers induce reddening on background quasars. We measure this effect and infer the cosmic density of dust residing in these systems to be {Omega} Almost-Equal-To 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -6}, in units of the critical density of the universe, which is comparable to the amount of dust found in galactic disks or about half the amount inferred to exist outside galaxies. We also estimate the neutral hydrogen abundance in Mg II clouds to be {Omega} Almost-Equal-To 1.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -4}, which is approximately 5% of hydrogen in stars in galaxies. This implies a dust-to-gas mass ratio for Mg II clouds of about 1/100, which is similar to the value for normal galaxies. This would support the hypothesis of the outflow origin of Mg II clouds, which are intrinsically devoid of stars and hence have no sources of dust. Considerations of the dust abundance imply that the presence of Mg II absorbers around galaxies lasts effectively for a few Gyr. High-redshift absorbers allow us to measure the rest-frame extinction curve to 900 A, at which the absorption by the Lyman edge dominates over scattering by dust in the extinction opacity.

The spatial clustering of rosat all-sky survey active galactic nuclei. iii. expanded sample and comparison with optical active galactic nuclei

Abstract: This is the third paper in a series that reports on our investigation of the clustering properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) identified in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). In this paper, we extend the redshift range to 0.07 < z < 0.50 and measure the clustering amplitudes of both X-ray-selected and optically selected SDSS broad-line AGNs with and without radio detections as well as for X-ray-selected narrow-line RASS/SDSS AGNs. We measure the clustering amplitude through cross-correlation functions (CCFs) with SDSS galaxies and derive the bias by applying a halo occupation distribution model directly to the CCFs. We find no statistically convincing difference in the clustering of X-ray-selected and optically selected broad-line AGNs, as well as with samples in which radio-detected AGNs are excluded. This is in contrast to low-redshift optically selected narrow-line AGNs, where radio-loud AGNs are found in more massive halos than optical AGNs without a radio detection. The typical dark matter halo masses of our broad-line AGNs are log (M{sub DMH}/[h{sup -1} M{sub Sun }]) {approx} 12.4-13.4, consistent with the halo mass range of typical non-AGN galaxies at low redshifts. We find no significant difference between the clustering of X-ray-selectedmore » narrow-line AGNs and broad-line AGNs. We confirm the weak dependence of the clustering strength on AGN X-ray luminosity at a {approx}2{sigma} level. Finally, we summarize the current picture of AGN clustering to z {approx} 1.5 based on three-dimensional clustering measurements.« less

HAT-P-39b--HAT-P-41b: Three Highly Inflated Transiting Hot Jupiters

Abstract: We report the discovery of three new transiting extrasolar planets orbiting moderately bright (V=11.1 to 12.4) F stars. The planets have periods of P = 2.6940 d to 4.4572 d, masses of 0.60 M_J to 0.80 M_J, and radii of 1.57 R_J to 1.73 R_J. They orbit stars with masses between 1.40 M_sun and 1.51 M_sun. The three planets are members of an emerging population of highly inflated Jupiters with 0.4 M_J 1.5 R_J.

Inner edges of compact debris disks around metal-rich white dwarfs

Abstract: A number of metal-rich white dwarfs (WDs) are known to host compact, dense particle disks, which are thought to be responsible for metal pollution of these stars. In many such systems, the inner radii of disks inferred from their spectra are so close to the WD that particles directly exposed to starlight must be heated above 1500 K and are expected to be unstable against sublimation. To reconcile this expectation with observations, we explore particle sublimation in H-poor debris disks around WDs. We show that because of the high metal vapor pressure the characteristic sublimation temperature in these disks is 300-400 K higher than in their protoplanetary analogs, allowing particles to survive at higher temperatures. We then look at the structure of the inner edges of debris disks and show that they should generically feature superheated inner rims directly exposed to starlight with temperatures reaching 2500-3500 K. Particles migrating through the rim toward the WD (and rapidly sublimating) shield the disk behind them from strong stellar heating, making the survival of solids possible close to the WD. Our model agrees well with observations of WD+disk systems provided that disk particles are composed of Si-rich material such as olivine, and have sizes in the range ~0.03-30 cm.

The extreme small scales: do satellite galaxies trace dark matter?

Abstract: We investigate the radial distribution of galaxies within their host dark matter halos as measured in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey by modeling their small-scale clustering. Specifically, we model the Jiang et al. measurements of the galaxy two-point correlation function down to very small projected separations (10 h{sup -1} kpc {<=} r {<=} 400 h{sup -1} kpc), in a wide range of luminosity threshold samples (absolute r-band magnitudes of -18 up to -23). We use a halo occupation distribution framework with free parameters that specify both the number and spatial distribution of galaxies within their host dark matter halos. We assume one galaxy resides in the halo center and additional galaxies are considered satellites that follow a radial density profile similar to the dark matter Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) profile, except that the concentration and inner slope are allowed to vary. We find that in low luminosity samples (M{sub r} < -19.5 and lower), satellite galaxies have radial profiles that are consistent with NFW. M{sub r} < -20 and brighter satellite galaxies have radial profiles with significantly steeper inner slopes than NFW (we find inner logarithmic slopes ranging from -1.6 to -2.1, as opposed to -1 for NFW). We define a usefulmore » metric of concentration, M{sub 1/10}, which is the fraction of satellite galaxies (or mass) that are enclosed within one-tenth of the virial radius of a halo. We find that M{sub 1/10} for low-luminosity satellite galaxies agrees with NFW, whereas for luminous galaxies it is 2.5-4 times higher, demonstrating that these galaxies are substantially more centrally concentrated within their dark matter halos than the dark matter itself. Our results therefore suggest that the processes that govern the spatial distribution of galaxies, once they have merged into larger halos, must be luminosity dependent, such that luminous galaxies become poor tracers of the underlying dark matter.« less

Inner edges of compact debris disks around metal-rich white dwarfs

Abstract: A number of metal-rich white dwarfs (WDs) are known to host compact, dense particle disks, which are thought to be responsible for metal pollution of these stars. In many such systems the inner radii of disks inferred from their spectra are so close to the WD that particles directly exposed to starlight must be heated above 1500 K and are expected to be unstable against sublimation. To reconcile this expectation with observations we explore particle sublimation in H-poor debris disks around WDs. We show that because of the high metal vapor pressure the characteristic sublimation temperature in these disks is 300-400 K higher than in their protoplanetary analogues, allowing particles to survive at higher temperatures. We then look at the structure of the inner edges of debris disks and show that they should generically feature superheated inner rims directly exposed to starlight with temperatures reaching 2500-3500 K. Particles migrating through the rim towards the WD (and rapidly sublimating) shield the disk behind them from strong stellar heating, making the survival of solids possible close to the WD. Our model agrees well with observations of WD+disk systems provided that disk particles are composed of Si-rich material such as olivine, and have sizes in the range ~(0.03-30) cm.

Constraining satellite galaxy stellar mass loss and predicting intrahalo light i: framework and results at low redshift

Abstract: We introduce a new technique that uses galaxy clustering to constrain how satellite galaxies lose stellar mass and contribute to the diffuse 'intrahalo light' (IHL). We implement two models that relate satellite galaxy stellar mass loss to the detailed knowledge of subhalo dark matter mass loss. Model 1 assumes that the fractional stellar mass loss of a galaxy, from the time of merging into a larger halo until the final redshift, is proportional to the fractional amount of dark matter mass loss of the subhalo it lives in. Model 2 accounts for a delay in the time that stellar mass is lost due to the fact that the galaxy resides deep in the potential well of the subhalo and the subhalo may experience dark matter mass loss for some time before the galaxy is affected. We use these models to predict the stellar masses of a population of galaxies and we use abundance matching to predict the clustering of several r-band luminosity threshold samples from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Abundance matching assuming no stellar mass loss (akin to abundance matching at the time of subhalo infall) overestimates the correlation function on small scales ({approx}< 1 Mpc), while allowing toomore » much stellar mass loss leads to an underestimate of small-scale clustering. For each luminosity threshold sample, we are thus able to constrain the amount of stellar mass loss required to match the observed clustering. We find that satellite galaxy stellar mass loss is strongly luminosity dependent, with less luminous satellite galaxies experiencing substantially more efficient stellar mass loss than luminous satellites. With constrained stellar mass loss models, we can infer the amount of stellar mass that is deposited into the IHL. We find that both of our model predictions for the mean amount of IHL as a function of halo mass are consistent with current observational measurements. However, our two models predict a different amount of scatter in the IHL from halo to halo, with Model 2 being favored by observations. This demonstrates that a comparison to IHL measurements provides independent verification of our stellar mass loss models, as well as additional constraining power.« less

Spectroscopic Confirmation of a z = 6.740 Galaxy behind the Bullet Cluster

Abstract: We present the first results of our spectroscopic follow-up of 6.5 5? significance using a 16 hr long exposure with FORS2 VLT. Based on the absence of flux in bluer broadband filters, the blue color of the source, and the absence of additional lines, we identify the line as Ly? at z = 6.740 ? 0.003. The integrated line flux is f = (0.7 ? 0.1 ? 0.3) ? 10?17 erg?1 s?1 cm?2 (the uncertainties are due to random and flux calibration errors, respectively) making it the faintest Ly? flux detected at these redshifts. Given the magnification of ? = 3.0 ? 0.2 the intrinsic (corrected for lensing) flux is f int = (0.23 ? 0.03 ? 0.10 ? 0.02) ? 10?17 erg?1 s?1 cm?2 (additional uncertainty due to magnification), which is ~2-3 times fainter than other such measurements in z ~ 7?galaxies. The intrinsic H 160W-band magnitude of the object is , corresponding to 0.5 L* for LBGs at these redshifts. The galaxy is one of the two sub-L* LBG galaxies spectroscopically confirmed at these high redshifts (the other is also a lensed z = 7.045 galaxy), making it a valuable probe for the neutral hydrogen fraction in the early universe.

Weak-lensing results for the merging cluster a1758*

Abstract: Here we present the weak lensing results of A1758, which is known to have four cluster members undergoing two separate mergers, A1758N and A1758S. Weak lensing results of A1758N agree with previous weak lensing results of clusters lE0657-558 (Bullet cluster) and MACS J0025.4-1222, whose X-ray gas components were found to be largely separated from their clusters' gravitational potentials. A1758N has a geometry that is different from previously published mergers in that one of its X-ray peaks overlays the corresponding gravitational potential and the other X-ray peak is well separated from its cluster's gravitational potential.

Using the bullet cluster as a gravitational telescope to study z & 7 lyman break galaxies

Abstract: We use imaging obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 to search for z(850) dropouts at z similar to 7 and J(110) dropouts at z similar to 9 lensed by the Bullet Cluster. In total we find 10 z850 dropouts in our 8.27 arcmin(2) field. Using magnification maps from a combined weak-and strong-lensing mass reconstruction of the Bullet Cluster and correcting for estimated completeness levels, we calculate the surface density and luminosity function of our z850 dropouts as a function of intrinsic (accounting for magnification) magnitude. We find results consistent with published blank field surveys, despite using much shallower data, and demonstrate the effectiveness of cluster surveys in the search for z similar to 7 galaxies.

The Origin of the Negative Torque Density in Disk-Satellite Interaction

Abstract: Tidal interaction between a gaseous disk and a massive orbiting perturber is known to result in angular momentum exchange between them. Understanding astrophysical manifestations of this coupling such as gap opening by planets in protoplanetary disks or clearing of gas by binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs) embedded in accretion disks requires knowledge of the spatial distribution of the torque exerted on the disk by a perturber. Recent hydrodynamical simulations by Dong et al have shown evidence for the tidal torque density produced in a uniform disk to change sign at the radial separation of ≈3.2 scale heights from the perturber's orbit, in clear conflict with the previous studies. To clarify this issue, we carry out a linear calculation of the disk-satellite interaction putting special emphasis on understanding the behavior of the perturbed fluid variables in physical space. Using analytical as well as numerical methods, we confirm the reality of the negative torque density phenomenon and trace its origin to the overlap of Lindblad resonances in the vicinity of the perturber's orbit—an effect not accounted for in previous studies. These results suggest that calculations of the gap and cavity opening in disks by planets and binary SMBHs should rely on more realistic torque density prescriptions than the ones used at present.

Angular Momentum Transport and Variability in Boundary Layers of Accretion Disks Driven by Global Acoustic Modes

Abstract: Disk accretion onto a weakly magnetized central object, e.g., a star, is inevitably accompanied by the formation of a boundary layer near the surface, in which matter slows down from the highly supersonic orbital velocity of the disk to the rotational velocity of the star. We perform high-resolution two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations in the equatorial plane of an astrophysical boundary layer with the goal of exploring the dynamics of non-axisymmetric structures that form there. We generically find that the supersonic shear in the boundary layer excites non-axisymmetric quasi-stationary acoustic modes that are trapped between the surface of the star and a Lindblad resonance in the disk. These modes rotate in a prograde fashion, are stable for hundreds of orbital periods, and have a pattern speed that is less than and of the order of the rotational velocity at the inner edge of the disk. The origin of these intrinsically global modes is intimately related to the operation of a corotation amplifier in the system. Dissipation of acoustic modes in weak shocks provides a universal mechanism for angular momentum and mass transport even in purely hydrodynamic (i.e., non-magnetized) boundary layers. We discuss the possible implications of these trapped modes for explaining the variability seen in accreting compact objects.

Supersonic Shear Instabilities in Astrophysical Boundary Layers

Abstract: Disk accretion onto weakly magnetized astrophysical objects often proceeds via a boundary layer (BL) that forms near the object's surface, in which the rotation speed of the accreted gas changes rapidly. Here, we study the initial stages of formation for such a BL around a white dwarf or a young star by examining the hydrodynamical shear instabilities that may initiate mixing and momentum transport between the two fluids of different densities moving supersonically with respect to each other. We find that an initially laminar BL is unstable to two different kinds of instabilities. One is an instability of a supersonic vortex sheet (implying a discontinuous initial profile of the angular speed of the gas) in the presence of gravity, which we find to have a growth rate of order (but less than) the orbital frequency. The other is a sonic instability of a finite width, supersonic shear layer, which is similar to the Papaloizou-Pringle instability. It has a growth rate proportional to the shear inside the transition layer, which is of order the orbital frequency times the ratio of stellar radius to the BL thickness. For a BL that is thin compared to the radius of the star, the shear rate is much larger than the orbital frequency. Thus, we conclude that sonic instabilities play a dominant role in the initial stages of nonmagnetic BL formation and give rise to very fast mixing between disk gas and stellar fluid in the supersonic regime.

Disk-Satellite Interaction in Disks with Density Gaps

Abstract: Gravitational coupling between a gaseous disk and an orbiting perturber leads to angular momentum exchange between them that can result in gap opening by planets in protoplanetary disks and clearing of gas by binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs) embedded in accretion disks. Understanding the co-evolution of the disk and the orbit of the perturber in these circumstances requires knowledge of the spatial distribution of the torque exerted by the latter on a highly non-uniform disk. Here we explore disk-satellite interaction in disks with gaps in linear approximation both in Fourier and in physical space, explicitly incorporating the disk non-uniformity in the fluid equations. Density gradients strongly displace the positions of Lindblad resonances in the disk (which often occur at multiple locations), and the waveforms of modes excited close to the gap edge get modified compared to the uniform disk case. The spatial distribution of the excitation torque density is found to be quite different from the existing prescriptions: most of the torque is exerted in a rather narrow region near the gap edge where Lindblad resonances accumulate, followed by an exponential falloff with the distance from the perturber. Despite these differences, for a given gap profile, the full integrated torque exerted on the disk agrees with the conventional uniform disk theory prediction at the level of ~10%. The nonlinearity of the density wave excited by the perturber is shown to decrease as the wave travels out of the gap, slowing down its nonlinear evolution and damping. Our results suggest that gap opening in protoplanetary disks and gas clearing around SMBH binaries can be more efficient than the existing theories predict. They pave the way for self-consistent calculations of the gap structure and the orbital evolution of the perturber using accurate prescription for the torque density behavior.

Obliquities of Hot Jupiter host stars: Evidence for tidal interactions and primordial misalignments

Abstract: We provide evidence that the obliquities of stars with close-in giant planets were initially nearly random, and that the low obliquities that are often observed are a consequence of star-planet tidal interactions. The evidence is based on 14 new measurements of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect (for the systems HAT-P-6, HAT-P-7, HAT-P-16, HAT-P-24, HAT-P-32, HAT-P-34, WASP-12, WASP-16, WASP-18, WASP-19, WASP-26, WASP-31, Gl 436, and Kepler-8), as well as a critical review of previous observations. The low-obliquity (well-aligned) systems are those for which the expected tidal timescale is short, and likewise the high-obliquity (misaligned and retrograde) systems are those for which the expected timescale is long. At face value, this finding indicates that the origin of hot Jupiters involves dynamical interactions like planet-planet interactions or the Kozai effect that tilt their orbits, rather than inspiraling due to interaction with a protoplanetary disk. We discuss the status of this hypothesis and the observations that are needed for a more definitive conclusion.

The Properties and Prevalence of Galactic Outflows at z = 1 in the Extended Groth Strip

Abstract: We investigate galactic-scale outflowing winds in 72 star-forming galaxies at z~1 in the Extended Groth Strip. Galaxies were selected from the DEEP2 survey and follow-up LRIS spectroscopy was obtained covering SiII, CIV, FeII, MgII, and MgI lines in the rest-frame ultraviolet. Using GALEX, HST, and Spitzer imaging, we examine galaxies on a per-object basis in order to understand both the prevalence of galactic winds at z~1 and the star-forming and structural properties of objects experiencing outflows. Gas velocities, measured from the centroids of FeII interstellar absorption lines, span the interval [-217, +155] km/s. We find that ~40% (10%) of the sample exhibits blueshifted FeII lines at the 1-sigma (3-sigma) level. We also measure maximal outflow velocities using the profiles of the FeII and MgII lines, and show that MgII frequently traces higher velocity gas than FeII. Quantitative morphological parameters derived from the HST imaging suggest that mergers are not a prerequisite for driving outflows. More face-on galaxies also show stronger winds than highly-inclined systems, consistent with the canonical picture of winds emanating perpendicular to galactic disks. Using star-formation rates calculated from GALEX data, and areas estimated from HST imaging, we detect a ~3-sigma correlation between outflow velocity and star-formation rate surface density, but only a weak (~1-sigma) trend between outflow velocity and star-formation rate. Higher resolution data are needed in order to test the scaling relations between outflow velocity and both star-formation rate and star-formation rate surface density predicted by theory.

Angular Momentum Transport and Variability in Boundary Layers of Accretion Disks Driven by Global Acoustic Modes

Abstract: Disk accretion onto a weakly magnetized central object, e.g. a star, is inevitably accompanied by the formation of a boundary layer near the surface, in which matter slows down from the highly supersonic orbital velocity of the disk to the rotational velocity of the star. We perform high resolution 2D hydrodynamical simulations in the equatorial plane of an astrophysical boundary layer with the goal of exploring the dynamics of non-axisymmetric structures that form there. We generically find that the supersonic shear in the boundary layer excites non-axisymmetric quasi-stationary acoustic modes that are trapped between the surface of the star and a Lindblad resonance in the disk. These modes rotate in a prograde fashion, are stable for hundreds of orbital periods, and have a pattern speed that is less than and of order the rotational velocity at the inner edge of the disk. The origin of these intrinsically global modes is intimately related to the operation of a corotation amplifier in the system. Dissipation of acoustic modes in weak shocks provides a universal mechanism for angular momentum and mass transport even in purely hydrodynamic (i.e. non-magnetized) boundary layers. We discuss the possible implications of these trapped modes for explaining the variability seen in accreting compact objects.