Kevin B. Burdge
A5083946994- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Mechanics and Biomechanics Studies
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Optical Systems and Laser Technology
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2016-2025
Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology
2022-2024
California Institute of Technology
2016-2023
Dillard University
2023
Compact Imaging (United States)
2023
Harvard University Press
2021
We report the first plausible optical electromagnetic counterpart to a (candidate) binary black hole merger. Detected by Zwicky Transient Facility, flare is consistent with expectations for kicked merger in accretion disk of an active galactic nucleus [B. McKernan, K. E. S. Ford, I. Bartos et al., Astrophys. J. Lett. 884, L50 (2019)AJLEEY2041-821310.3847/2041-8213/ab4886] and unlikely [<O(0.01%))] due intrinsic variability this source. The lack color evolution implies that it not supernova...
The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) is a new robotic time-domain survey currently in progress using the Palomar 48-inch Schmidt Telescope. ZTF uses 47 square degree field with 600 megapixel camera to scan entire northern visible sky at rates of ~3760 degrees/hour median depths g ~ 20.8 and r 20.6 mag (AB, 5sigma 30 sec). We describe Science Data System that housed IPAC, Caltech. This comprises data-processing pipelines, alert production system, data archive, user interfaces for accessing...
We present a catalogue of white dwarf candidates selected from Gaia early data release three (EDR3). applied several selection criteria in absolute magnitude, colour, and quality flags to remove objects with unreliable measurements while preserving most stars compatible the locus Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. then used sample over 30 000 spectroscopically confirmed dwarfs contaminants Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) map distribution these magnitude-colour space. Finally, we adopt same method...
ABSTRACT We report discovery of a bright, nearby ($G = 13.8;\, \, d 480\, \rm pc$) Sun-like star orbiting dark object. identified the system as black hole candidate via its astrometric orbital solution from Gaia mission. Radial velocities validated and refined solution, spectroscopy ruled out significant light contributions another star. Joint modelling radial astrometry constrains companion mass $M_2 9.62\pm 0.18\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. The spectroscopic orbit alone sets minimum $M_2\gt 5\,...
We report spectroscopic and photometric follow-up of a dormant black hole (BH) candidate from Gaia DR3. The system, which we call BH2, contains $\sim 1M_{\odot}$ red giant dark companion with mass $M_2 = 8.9\pm 0.3\,M_{\odot}$ that is very likely BH. orbital period, $P_{\rm orb} 1277$ days, much longer than any previously studied BH binary. Our radial velocity (RV) over 7-month period spans more 90% the orbit's dynamic range in RV excellent agreement predictions solution. UV imaging...
The accretion disks of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are promising locations for the merger compact objects detected by gravitational wave (GW) observatories. Embedded within a baryon-rich, high density environment, mergers AGN only GW channel where an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart must occur (whether detectable or not). Considering with unusual flaring activity observed Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), we describe search candidate EM counterparts to binary black hole (BBH) LIGO/Virgo in...
Abstract We present a search for extragalactic fast blue optical transients (FBOTs) during Phase I of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). identify 38 candidates with durations above half-maximum light 1 day < t 1/2 12 days, which 28 have ( g − r ≲ −0.2 mag) colors at peak light. Of (28 FBOTs), 19 (13) can be spectroscopically classified as core-collapse supernovae (SNe): 11 (8) H- or He-rich (Type II/IIb/Ib) SNe, 6 (4) interacting IIn/Ibn) and 2 (1) H&He-poor Ic/Ic-BL) SNe. Two FBOTs...
Abstract Narrow transient emission lines (flash-ionization features) in early supernova (SN) spectra trace the presence of circumstellar material (CSM) around massive progenitor stars core-collapse SNe. The disappear within days after SN explosion, suggesting that this is spatially confined, and originates from enhanced mass loss shortly (months to a few years) prior explosion. We performed systematic survey H-rich (Type II) SNe discovered less than 2 explosion during first phase Zwicky...
The Zwicky Transient Facility is a large optical survey in multiple filters producing hundreds of thousands transient alerts per night. We describe here various machine learning (ML) implementations and plans to make the maximal use data set by taking advantage temporal nature data, further combining it with other sets. start initial steps separating bogus candidates from real ones, stars galaxies, go on classification objects into classes. Besides usual methods (e.g., based features...
Palomar Gattini-IR is a new wide-field, near-infrared (NIR) robotic time domain survey operating at Observatory. Using 30 cm telescope mounted with H2RG detector, achieves field of view (FOV) 25 sq. deg. pixel scale 87 in J-band. Here, we describe the system design, operations, data processing and on-sky performance Gattini-IR. As part nominal survey, scans ≈7500 square degrees sky every night to median 5σ depth 15.7 AB mag outside Galactic plane. The covers ≈15,000 visible from cadence 2...
ABSTRACT We show that the radial velocity variable star in black hole (BH) candidate NGC 1850 BH1 cannot be a normal ${\approx}5\hbox{-}{\rm M}_{\odot }$ subgiant, as was proposed, but is an overluminous stripped-envelope with mass ≈1 M⊙. The result follows directly from star’s observed radius and orbital period–density relation for Roche lobe-filling stars: density, constrained by ellipsoidal variability, too low its to exceed ${\approx}1.5\, {\rm }$. This lower significantly reduces...
We analyze two binary systems containing giant stars, V723 Mon ("the Unicorn") and 2M04123153+6738486 Giraffe"). Both giants orbit more massive but less luminous companions, previously proposed to be mass-gap black holes. Spectral disentangling reveals companions with star-like spectra in both systems. Joint modeling of the spectra, light curves, spectral energy distributions robustly constrains masses, temperatures, radii components: primaries are luminous, cool ($T_{\rm eff,\,giant} =...
The Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite (AXIS) is a Probe-class concept that will build on the legacy of Chandra Observatory by providing low-background, arcsecond-resolution imaging in 0.3-10 keV band across 450 arcminute$^2$ field view, with an order magnitude improvement sensitivity. AXIS utilizes breakthroughs construction lightweight segmented optics using single-crystal silicon, and developments fabrication large-format, small-pixel, high readout rate CCD detectors good spectral...
Abstract During the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Phase I operations, 78 hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe-I) were discovered in less than 3 yr, constituting largest sample from a single survey. This paper (Paper I) presents data, including optical/UV light curves and classification spectra, while Paper II this series will focus on detailed analysis of modeling. Our photometry is primarily taken by ZTF g , r i bands, with additional data other ground-based facilities Swift. The...
Abstract Quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are luminous X-ray outbursts recurring on hour timescales, observed from the nuclei of a growing handful nearby low-mass galaxies. Their physical origin is still debated, and usually modeled as (a) accretion disk instabilities or (b) interaction supermassive black hole (SMBH) with lower mass companion in an extreme mass-ratio inspiral (EMRI). EMRI models can be tested several predictions related to short- long-term behavior QPEs. In this study, we...
Abstract The detonation of a helium shell on white dwarf (WD) has been proposed as possible explosion triggering mechanism for SNe Ia. Here, we report ZTF 18aaqeasu (SN 2018byg/ATLAS 18pqq), peculiar Type I supernova, consistent with being helium-shell double-detonation. With rise time ≈18 days from explosion, the transient reached peak absolute magnitude M R ≈ −18.2 mag, exhibiting light curve akin to sub-luminous SN 1991bg-like Ia, albeit an unusually steep increase in brightness within...
We report the discovery of first short period binary in which a hot subdwarf star (sdOB) fills its Roche lobe and started mass transfer to companion. The object was discovered as part dedicated high-cadence survey Galactic Plane named Zwicky Transient Facility exhibits $P_{\rm orb}=39.3401(1)$ min, making it most compact currently known. Spectroscopic observations are consistent with an intermediate He-sdOB effective temperature $T_{\rm eff}=42,400\pm300$ K surface gravity...
Luminous Red Novae (LRNe) are astrophysical transients associated with the partial ejection of a binary system's common envelope (CE) shortly before its merger. Here we present results our photometric and spectroscopic follow-up campaign AT2018bwo (DLT18x), LRN discovered in NGC45, investigate progenitor system using stellar-evolution models. The transient reached peak magnitude $M_r=-10.97\pm0.11$ maintained this brightness during optical plateau $t_p = 41\pm5$days. During phase, it showed...
We constrain the orbital period ($P_{\rm orb}$) distribution of low-mass detached main-sequence eclipsing binaries (EBs) with light curves from Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), which provides a well-understood selection function and sensitivity to faint stars. At short periods orb}\lesssim 2$ days), are predicted evolve significantly due magnetic braking (MB), shrinks orbits ultimately brings into contact. The is thus sensitive probe MB. find that intrinsic ($0.1\lesssim M_1/M_{\odot} <...
The third observing run by LVC has brought the discovery of many compact binary coalescences. Following detection first neutron star merger in this (LIGO/Virgo S190425z), we performed a dedicated follow-up campaign with Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and Palomar Gattini-IR telescopes. initial skymap single-detector gravitational wave (GW) trigger spanned most sky observable from Observatory. Covering 8000 deg$^2$ over next two nights, corresponding to 46\% integrated probability, ZTF system...