A5079517249- Astro and Planetary Science
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Space Satellite Systems and Control
- CCD and CMOS Imaging Sensors
- Inertial Sensor and Navigation
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Spacecraft Design and Technology
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Scientific Research and Discoveries
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
University of Chile
2016-2024
Instituto de Tecnologías en Detección y Astropartículas
2024
Millennium Institute of Astrophysics
2018-2020
University of Guayaquil
2019
Northern Arizona University
2003-2013
CIUDAD
2012
Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian
2006-2011
Harvard University
2005-2009
Community Farm Alliance
2008
We present photometry of 4 transits the exoplanet WASP-4b, each with a precision approximately 500 ppm and time sampling 40-60s. have used data to refine estimates system parameters ephemerides. During two we observed short-lived, low-amplitude anomaly that interpret as occultation starspot by planet. also find evidence for pair similar anomalies in previously published photometry. The recurrence these suggests stellar rotation axis is nearly aligned orbital axis, or else star spot would not...
The Kuiper Belt is a remnant from the early solar system and its size distribution contains many important constraints that can be used to test models of planet formation collisional evolution. We show, by comparing observations with theoretical models, observed well matched coagulation which start an initial planetesimal population radii about 1 km, subsequent find above R ∼ 30 km primordial, i.e., it has not been modified evolution over age system, below collisions slope use published...
We present the results of a survey for trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) based on Subaru archival images, originally collected by Sheppard et al. in 2005 as part search irregular satellites Uranus. The region covers 2.8 deg2, centered Uranus and observed near opposition two adjacent nights. Our reaches half its maximum detection efficiency at R = 25.69 ± 0.01. detected correspond to 82 TNOs, five Centaurs, satellites. model cumulative number TNOs brighter than given apparent magnitude with both...
We present the results of an archival search for trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) in ecliptic field observed with Subaru 2002. The depth allowed us to find 20 new TNOs magnitudes between R = 24 and 27. fit a double power-law model data; most likely values bright faint exponents are α1 0.73+0.08−0.09 α2 0.20+0.12−0.14; differential number density at 23 is σ23 1.46+0.14−0.12 break magnitude Req 25.0+0.8−0.6. This precise measurement TNO luminosity function date. size distribution corresponds...
Abstract We present here the DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project (DEEP), a 3 yr NOAO/NOIRLab Survey that was allocated 46.5 nights to discover and measure properties of thousands trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) magnitudes as faint VR ∼ 27 mag, corresponding sizes small 20 km diameter. In this paper we science goals project, experimental design our survey, technical demonstration approach. The core project is “digital tracking,” in which all collected images are combined at range motion vectors...
Abstract We present the methods and results from discovery photometric measurement of 26 bright VR > 24 trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) during first year (2019–20) DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project (DEEP). The DEEP survey is an observational TNO with wide sky coverage, high sensitivity, a fast cadence. apply computer vision technique known as progressive probabilistic Hough transform to identify linearly moving transient sources within catalogs. After subsequent visual vetting, we provide...
Abstract We present the DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project (DEEP) survey strategy, including observing cadence for orbit determination, exposure times, field pointings and filter choices. The overall goal of is to discover characterize orbits a few thousand Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) using Dark Energy Camera (DECam) on Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory Blanco 4 m telescope. experiment designed collect very deep series exposures totaling hours sky each several 2.7 square degree...
Abstract We present the first set of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) observed on multiple nights in data taken from DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project. Of these 110 TNOs, 105 do not coincide with previously known TNOs and appear to be new discoveries. Each individual detection for our resulted a digital tracking search at TNO rates motion, using two-to-four-hour exposure sets, detections were subsequently linked across observing seasons. This procedure allows us find magnitudes m VR ≈ 26. The...
As part of our ongoing effort to measure exoplanet sizes and transit times with greater accuracy, we present I-band observations two transits OGLE-TR-111b. The photometry has an accuracy 0.15%-0.20% a cadence 1-2 minutes. We derive planetary radius RP = 1.067 ± 0.054RJup stellar RS 0.831 0.031 R⊙. uncertainties are dominated by errors in the rather than systematic arising from limb-darkening function or mass. Both agreement theoretical expectations. accurate within 30 s allow us refine...
The Cold Classical Kuiper Belt, a class of small bodies in undisturbed orbits beyond Neptune, are primitive objects preserving information about Solar System formation. New Horizons spacecraft flew past one these objects, the 36 km long contact binary (486958) Arrokoth (2014 MU69), January 2019. Images from flyby show that has no detectable rings, and satellites (larger than 180 meters diameter) within radius 8000 km, lightly-cratered smooth surface with complex geological features, unlike...
We present I and B photometry of five distinct transits the exoplanet OGLE-TR-10b. By modeling light curves, we find planetary radius to be RP = (1.06 ± 0.08)RJup stellar RS 1.10 0.07 R☉. The uncertainties are dominated by statistical errors in photometry. Our estimate is smaller than previous estimates that were based on lower precision photometry, hence planet not as anomalously large was previously thought. provide updated determinations all system parameters, including transit ephemerides.
Abstract We present a detailed study of the observational biases DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project’s B1 data release and survey simulation software that enables direct statistical comparisons between models our data. inject synthetic population objects into images, then subsequently recover them in same processing as real detections. This us to characterize survey’s completeness function apparent magnitudes on-sky rates motion. statistically optimal functional form for magnitude, develop...
Abstract We analyzed data from the first year of a survey for Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) that we are carrying out with Dark Energy Camera (DECam) on 4 m Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. implanted synthetic NEOs into stream to derive our nightly detection efficiency as function magnitude and rate motion. Using these measured efficiencies solar system absolute magnitudes derived by Minor Planet Center 1377 measurements 235 unique detected, directly derive, time...
We present the discovery of a long-term stable L5 (trailing) Neptune Trojan in data acquired to search for candidate Trans-Neptunian objects New Horizons spacecraft fly by during an extended post-Pluto mission. This Trojan, 2011 HM102, has highest inclination (29.4 degrees) any known member this population. It is intrinsically brighter than single Jupiter at H~8.18. have determined its gri colors (a first Trojan), which we find be similar moderately red L4 Trojans, suggesting surface...
Absolute attitude estimation sensors provide high accuracy pointing capabilities to spacecraft, but as developed thus far, they constitute a large fraction of CubeSat mission's budget. We introduce SPE Lab Open Star Tracker (SOST), an ultra-low-cost solution that currently provides sub-arcminute precision at frequency 1 3 estimations per minute in the Lost-In-Space scenario. Our development rests on open source astronomy software, Raspberry Pi B+, and its camera. new algorithm solve problem...
We present high-precision photometry of the hypervelocity star SDSS J090745.0+024507 (hereafter HVS), which has a Galactic rest-frame radial velocity v = 709 km s-1, and thus likely been ejected from supermassive black hole in center. Our data were obtained on two nights using MMT 6.5 m telescope is supplemented by lower precision four FLWO 1.2 telescope. The indicates that HVS low-amplitude variable. Assuming periodic, sinusoidal model for this variation, we obtain period P 0.2-2 days...
We introduce a novel search technique that can identify trans-Neptunian objects in three to five exposures of pointing within single Hubble Space Telescope (HST) orbit. The process is fast enough allow the discovery candidates soon after data are available. This allows sufficient time schedule follow-up observations with HST month. report 14 slow-moving found 5° ecliptic archival taken Wide Field Channel Advanced Camera for Surveys. luminosity function these consistent previous ground-based...
Hi'iaka is the larger outer satellite of dwarf planet Haumea. Using relative photometry from Hubble Space Telescope and Magellan a phase dispersion minimization analysis, we have identified rotation period to be ~9.8 hrs (double-peaked). This ~120 times faster than its orbital period, creating new questions about formation this system possible tidal evolution. The rapid suggests that could significant obliquity spin precession visible in light curves within few years. We then turn an...
High-quality Extragalactic Legacy-field Monitoring (HELM) is a long-term observing program that photometrically monitors several well-studied extragalactic legacy fields with the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) imager on CTIO 4m Blanco telescope. Since Feb 2019, HELM has been monitoring regions within COSMOS, XMM-LSS, CDF-S, S-CVZ, ELAIS-S1, and SDSS Stripe 82 few-day cadences in $(u)gri(z)$ bands, over collective sky area of $\sim 38$ deg${\rm ^2}$. The main science goal to provide high-quality...
Abstract Following the Pluto flyby of New Horizons spacecraft, mission provided a unique opportunity to explore Kuiper Belt in situ. The possibility existed fly by object (KBO), as well observe additional objects at distances closer than are feasible from Earth-orbit facilities. However, time launch no KBOs were known about that accessible spacecraft. In this paper we present results 10 yr observations and three uniquely dedicated efforts—two ground-based using Subaru Suprime Camera,...
Superfast rotators (SFRs) are small solar system objects that rotate faster than generally possible for a cohesionless rubble pile. Their rotational characteristics allow us to make inferences about their interior structure and composition. Here, we present the methods results from preliminary search SFRs in DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project (DEEP) data set. We find three sample of 686 main-belt asteroids, implying an occurrence rate 0.4 -0.3/+0.1 percent - higher incidence has been...
We present the faintest mid-ecliptic latitude survey in second part of Hubble Space Telescope archival search for outer solar system bodies. report discovery 28 new trans-Neptunian objects and one small centaur (R ∼ 2 km) band 5°–20° off ecliptic. The inclination distribution these excited is consistent with derived from brighter ecliptic surveys. suggest that size should be estimated consistently using suitable surveys calibrated algorithms reliable orbital information.
Cell wall–defective strains of Chlamydomonas have played an important role in the development transformation protocols for introducing exogenous DNA (foreign genes or cloned genes) into C. reinhardtii . To promote similar distantly related homothallic species, monoica , we used UV mutagenesis to obtain a mutant strain with defective cell wall. The mutant, cw‐1 was first identified on basis irregular colony shape and subsequently shown reduced plating efficiency increased sensitivity lysis by...
We report on the serendipitous observations of Solar System objects imaged during High cadence Transient Survey (HiTS) 2014 observation campaign. Data from this high cadence, wide field survey was originally analyzed for finding variable static sources using Machine Learning to select most-likely candidates. In work we search moving transients consistent with and derive their orbital parameters. use a simple, custom detection algorithm link trajectories assume Keplerian motion asteroid's...
Following the Pluto fly-by of New Horizons spacecraft, mission provided a unique opportunity to explore Kuiper Belt in-situ. The possibility existed object (KBO) as well observe additional objects at distances closer than are feasible from earth-orbit facilities. However, time launch no KBOs were known about that accessible by spacecraft. In this paper we present results 10 years observations and three uniquely dedicated efforts -- two ground-based using Subaru Suprime Camera, Magellan...