Laura Brenneman
A5041303423- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Relativity and Gravitational Theory
- Mechanics and Biomechanics Studies
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Magnetic confinement fusion research
Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian
2015-2025
Goddard Space Flight Center
2002-2024
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research
2024
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
2011-2024
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
2016-2024
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
2018-2024
SpaceX (United States)
2024
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
2024
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
2024
Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology
2020
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission, launched on 2012 June 13, is the first focusing high-energy X-ray telescope in orbit. NuSTAR operates band from 3 to 79 keV, extending sensitivity of far beyond ∼10 keV cutoff achieved by all previous satellites. inherently low background associated with concentrating light enables probe hard sky a more than 100-fold improvement over collimated or coded mask instruments that have operated this bandpass. Using its unprecedented...
X-ray reflection models are used to constrain the properties of accretion disk, such as degree ionization gas and elemental abundances. In combination with general relativistic ray tracing codes, additional parameters like spin black hole inclination system can be determined. However, current for studies only provide angle-averaged solutions flux reflected at surface disk. Moreover, emission angle photons changes over disk due light bending. To overcome this simplification, we have...
This White Paper, submitted to the recent ESA call for science themes define its future large missions, advocates need a transformational leap in our understanding of two key questions astrophysics: 1) How does ordinary matter assemble into scale structures that we see today? 2) do black holes grow and shape Universe? Hot gas clusters, groups intergalactic medium dominates baryonic content local Universe. To understand astrophysical processes responsible formation assembly these structures,...
We present an analysis of the observed broad iron line feature and putative warm absorber in long 2001 XMM-Newton observation Seyfert 1.2 galaxy MCG -06-30-15. The new kerrdisk model we have designed for simulating emission from accretion disk systems allows black hole spin to be a free parameter fit, enabling user formally constrain angular momentum hole, among other physical parameters system. In important extension previous work, derive constraints on -06-30-15 using self-consistent X-ray...
X-ray irradiation of the accretion disc leads to strong reflection features, which are then broadened and distorted by relativistic effects. We present a detailed, general approach model this for different geometries primary source. These include standard point source on rotational axis as well more jet-like sources, radially elongated accelerating. Incorporating code in relline line emission, shape any configuration can be predicted. study how affect determination spin black hole. Broad...
We present an extended scheme for the calculation of profiles emission lines from accretion discs around rotating black holes.The includes with angular momenta which are parallel and antiparallel respect to hole's momentum, as both configurations assumed be stable.We discuss line shapes such a code modelling observational data this in X-ray analysis programs.Based on Green's function approach, arbitrary radius dependence disc emissivity limb darkening laws can easily taken into account,...
The Suzaku AGN Spin Survey is designed to determine the supermassive black hole spin in six nearby active galactic nuclei (AGN) via deep stares, thereby giving us our first glimpse of local distribution. Here, we present an analysis target be studied under auspices this Key Project, Seyfert galaxy NGC 3783. Despite complexity spectrum arising from a multi-component warm absorber, detect and study relativistic reflection inner accretion disk. Assuming that X-ray surface flat disk around Kerr...
The ASTRO-H mission was designed and developed through an international collaboration of JAXA, NASA, ESA, the CSA. It successfully launched on February 17, 2016, then named Hitomi. During in-orbit verification phase, on-board observational instruments functioned as expected. intricate coolant refrigeration systems for soft X-ray spectrometer (SXS, a quantum micro-calorimeter) imager (SXI, CCD) also However, March 26, operations were prematurely terminated by series abnormal events mishaps...
We present 3-50 keV NuSTAR observations of the AGN Mrk 335 in a very low flux state. The spectrum is dominated by strong features at energies iron line 5-7 and Compton hump from 10-30 keV. source variable during observation, with variability concentrated energies, which suggesting either relativistic reflection or absorption scenario. In this work we focus on interpretation, making use new models that self consistently calculate fraction, blurring angle-dependent for different coronal...
Abstract High-resolution X-ray spectroscopy with Hitomi was expected to resolve the origin of faint unidentified emission line reported in several low-resolution studies various massive systems, such as galaxies and clusters, including Perseus cluster. We have analyzed first-light observation The for based on XMM-Newton signal from large cluster sample under dark matter decay scenario is too be detectable data. However, previously 3.5 keV flux anomalously high compared sample-based...
Extending the earlier measurements reported in Hitomi collaboration (2016, Nature, 535, 117), we examine atmospheric gas motions within central 100~kpc of Perseus cluster using observations obtained with satellite. After correcting for point spread function telescope and optically thin emission lines, find that line-of-sight velocity dispersion hot is remarkably low mostly uniform. The reaches maxima approximately 200~km~s$^{-1}$ toward active galactic nucleus (AGN) AGN inflated...
The Hitomi SXS spectrum of the Perseus cluster, with $\sim$5 eV resolution in 2-9 keV band, offers an unprecedented benchmark atomic modeling and database for hot collisional plasmas. It reveals both successes challenges current codes. latest versions AtomDB/APEC (3.0.8), SPEX (3.03.00), CHIANTI (8.0) all provide reasonable fits to broad-band spectrum, are close agreement on best-fit temperature, emission measure, abundances a few elements such as Ni. For Fe abundance, APEC measurements...
The Hitomi (ASTRO-H) mission is the sixth Japanese x-ray astronomy satellite developed by a large international collaboration, including Japan, USA, Canada, and Europe. aimed to provide highest energy resolution ever achieved at E > 2 keV, using microcalorimeter instrument, cover wide range spanning four decades in from soft x-rays gamma rays. After successful launch on February 17, 2016, spacecraft lost its function March 26, but commissioning phase for about month provided valuable...
The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is the successor to 2016 Hitomi mission that ended prematurely. Like Hitomi, primary science goals are examine astrophysical problems with precise highresolution X-ray spectroscopy. XRISM promises discover new horizons in astronomy. carries a 6 x pixelized micro-calorimeter on focal plane of an mirror assembly co-aligned CCD camera covers same energy band over large field view. utilizes heritage, but all designs were reviewed. attitude orbit...
MCG−6-30-15, at a distance of 37 Mpc (z = 0.008), is the archetypical Seyfert 1 galaxy showing very broad Fe Kα emission. We present results from joint NuSTAR and XMM-Newton observational campaign that, for first time, allows sensitive, time-resolved spectral analysis 0.35 keV up to 80 keV. The strong variability source best explained in terms intrinsic X-ray flux variations context light-bending model: primary, variable emission reprocessed by accretion disk, which produces secondary, less...
We present a broad band spectral analysis of the joint XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observational campaign Narrow Line Seyfert 1 SWIFT J2127.4+5654, consisting 300 ks performed during three orbits. detect relativistic broadened iron K$\alpha$ line originating from innermost regions accretion disc surrounding central black hole, which we infer an intermediate spin $a$=$0.58^{+0.11}_{-0.17}$. The intrinsic spectrum is steep ($\Gamma=2.08\pm0.01$) as commonly found in galaxies, while cutoff energy...
We present a spectral analysis of four coordinated NuSTAR+XMM-Newton observations the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1365. These exhibit an extreme level variability, which is primarily due to variable line-of-sight absorption, revealing relatively unobscured states in this source for first time. Despite diverse range absorption states, each displays same characteristic signatures relativistic reflection from inner accretion disk. Through time-resolved spectroscopy we find that strength iron line and...
The joint JAXA/NASA ASTRO-H mission is the sixth in a series of highly successful X-ray missions developed by Institute Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), with planned launch 2015. equipped suite sensitive instruments highest energy resolution ever achieved at E > 3 keV wide range spanning four decades from soft X-rays to gamma-rays. simultaneous broad band pass, coupled high spectral Delta < 7 eV micro-calorimeter, will enable variety important science themes be pursued. expected...
We present simultaneous XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of the `bare' Seyfert 1 galaxy, Ark 120, a system in which ionized absorption is absent. The hard X-ray spectral coverage allows us to constrain different models for excess soft emission. Among phenomenological models, cutoff power law best explains This model likely corresponds Comptonization accretion disk seed UV photons by population warm electrons: using temperature ~0.3 keV an optical depth ~13 are found. If UV-to-X-ray...
The analysis of relativistically broadened X-ray spectral features from the inner accretion disk provides a powerful tool for measuring spin supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, AGN spectra are often complex and careful employing appropriate self-consistent models is required if one has to obtain robust results. In this paper, we revisit deep 2009 July Suzaku observation Seyfert galaxy NGC 3783 order study rigorous manner robustness inferred hole parameter....
We have obtained a deep, simultaneous observation of the bright, nearby Seyfert galaxy IC 4329A with Suzaku and NuSTAR. Through detailed spectral analysis, we are able to robustly separate continuum, absorption distant reflection components in spectrum. The absorbing column is found be modest at $N_H = 6 \times 10^{21}$ cm$^2$, does not introduce any significant curvature Fe K band. place strong constraint on presence broadened K{\alpha} line: $E 6.46^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$ keV rest frame...