Virginia Cunningham
A5063530695- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- SAS software applications and methods
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
- Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Neutrino Physics Research
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Computational Physics and Python Applications
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Superconducting Materials and Applications
- Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
Space Telescope Science Institute
2022
University of Maryland, College Park
2018-2021
Deleted Institution
2021
Goddard Space Flight Center
2020-2021
West Virginia University
2014-2015
The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) is a new optical time-domain survey that uses the Palomar 48 inch Schmidt telescope. A custom-built wide-field camera provides 47 deg2 field of view and 8 s readout time, yielding more than an order magnitude improvement in speed relative to its predecessor survey, Factory. We describe design implementation observing system. ZTF data system at Infrared Processing Analysis Center near-real-time reduction identify moving varying objects. outline analysis...
The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), a public-private enterprise, is new time domain survey employing dedicated camera on the Palomar 48-inch Schmidt telescope with 47 deg$^2$ field of view and 8 second readout time. It well positioned in development astronomy, offering operations at 10% scale style Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) single 1-m class telescope. public surveys will cover observable northern sky every three nights g r filters visible Galactic plane night r. Alerts...
Using data from the all-sky Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite, we made a catalog of over 8000 Galactic HII regions and region candidates by searching for their characteristic mid-infrared (MIR) morphology. WISE has sufficient sensitivity to detect MIR emission located anywhere in disk. We believe this is most complete yet forming massive stars Milky Way. Of ~8000 cataloged sources, ~1500 have measured radio recombination line (RRL) or H$\alpha$ emission, are thus known be...
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...
The WISE Catalog of Galactic HII Regions contains $\sim2000$ region candidates lacking ionized gas spectroscopic observations. All have the characteristic mid-infrared morphology $12\,\,\mu\,m$ emission surrounding $22\,\mu\,m$ emission, and additionally detected radio continuum emission. We here report Green Bank Telescope (GBT) hydrogen recombination line (RRL) detections at X-band (9GHz; 3cm) 302 (out 324 targets observed) in zone $225^{\circ} > l -20^{\circ}$, $|b| \le 6^{\circ}$. Here...
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...
We present SN 2019tsf (ZTF19ackjszs) and 2019oys (ZTF19abucwzt). These two stripped envelope Type Ib supernovae suddenly showed a (re-)brightening in their late light curves. investigate this the context of circumstellar material (CSM) interaction with previously ejected material, phenomenon that is unusual among SE SNe. analyse observational data, consisting optical curves spectra. For we also have detections radio as well limits from UV X-rays. Both show spectacular re-brightening after...
There is significant interest in the models for production of short gamma-ray bursts. Until now, number known bursts with multi-wavelength afterglows has been small. While {\it Fermi} Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor detects many relative to Neil Gehrels Swift} Observatory, large localization regions makes search counterparts difficult. With Zwicky Transient Facility recently achieving first light, it now fruitful use its combination depth ($m_\textrm{AB} \sim 20.6$), field view ($\approx$ 47 square...
Abstract Using selection criteria based on amplitude, time, and color, we have identified 329 objects as known or candidate cataclysmic variables (CVs) during the first year of testing operation Zwicky Transient Facility. Of these, 90 are previously confirmed CVs, 218 strong candidates shape color their light curves obtained 3–562 days observation, remaining 21 possible CVs but with too few data points to be listed good candidates. Almost half within 10 deg galactic plane, in contrast most...
Abstract We present detailed observations of ZTF18abukavn (SN2018gep), discovered in high-cadence data from the Zwicky Transient Facility as a rapidly rising (1.4 ± 0.1 mag hr −1 ) and luminous ( mag) transient. It is spectroscopically classified broad-lined stripped-envelope supernova (Ic-BL SN). The high peak luminosity ), short rise time g band), blue colors at all resemble high-redshift Ic-BL iPTF16asu, well several other unclassified fast transients. early discovery SN2018gep (within an...
Abstract We report on a search for high-energy counterparts to fast radio bursts (FRBs) with the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor, Large Area Telescope, and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Alert Telescope. find no significant associations any of 23 FRBs in our sample, but upper limits fluence each timescales 0.1, 1, 10, 100 s. lower ratio fluence, f r / γ , 0.1 discuss implications non-detections various proposed progenitor models FRBs, including analogs giant pulses from Crab pulsar hyperflares...
Abstract High-cadence transient surveys are able to capture supernovae closer their first light than ever before. Applying analytical models such early emission, we can constrain the progenitor stars’ properties. In this paper, present observations of SN 2018fif (ZTF 18abokyfk). The supernova was discovered close and monitored by Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Early spectroscopic suggest that surrounded relatively small amounts circumstellar material compared...
We present a systematic search for optical counterparts to 13 gravitational wave (GW) triggers involving at least one neutron star during LIGO/Virgo's third observing run. searched binary (BNS) and black hole (NSBH) merger localizations with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) undertook follow-up Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH) collaboration. The GW had median localization 4480 deg^2, distance 267 Mpc false alarm rates ranging from 1.5 1e-25 per yr. ZTF...
Abstract The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) triggers on-board in response to ∼40 short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) per year; however, their large localization regions have made the search for optical counterparts a challenging endeavour. We developed and executed an extensive program with wide field of view Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) camera, mounted on Palomar 48 inch Oschin telescope (P48), perform target-of-opportunity (ToO) observations 10 Fermi-GBM SGRBs during 2018 2020–2021....
Abstract We present multiwavelength modeling of the afterglow from long γ -ray burst (GRB) 160625B using Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques afterglowpy Python package. GRB is an extremely bright with a rich set observations spanning radio to frequencies. These range ∼0.1 days >1000 days, thus making this event well suited such modeling. In work we compare top-hat and Gaussian jet structure types in order find best-fit values for collimation angle, viewing other physical parameters. that...
Abstract We present a reanalysis of the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) data around radio detection FRB 131104. Possible evidence gamma-ray counterpart was presented by DeLaunay et al. However, based on our analysis using all available BAT data, no significant emission is found in either temporal or image domain. place 5 σ fluence upper limit 3.3 × 10 −6 erg cm −2 and 2.7 (15–150 keV) with an integration time 300 s assuming simple power-law spectrum photon index −1.2 −2.0, respectively....
Abstract Helium is expected to be present in the massive ejecta of some hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSN-I). However, until now only one event has been identified with He features its photospheric spectra (PTF10hgi). We discovery a new He-rich SLSN-I, ZTF19aawfbtg (SN2019hge), at z = 0.0866. This more than 10 optical phases from −41 +103 days relative peak, most which match well that PTF10hgi. Confirmation comes near-IR spectrum taken +34 days, revealing i P-Cygni profiles 1.083...