N. P. M. Kuin
A5073680720- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- SAS software applications and methods
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
- Inertial Sensor and Navigation
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Statistical and numerical algorithms
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- CCD and CMOS Imaging Sensors
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology
University College London
2015-2024
European Space Astronomy Centre
2024
Centro de Astrobiología
2024
Mars Space (United Kingdom)
2018
UCL Australia
2007-2015
Pennsylvania State University
2011-2015
Southwest Research Institute
2011-2015
Sapienza University of Rome
2015
Goddard Space Flight Center
1986-2011
Universities Space Research Association
2011
We present the photometric calibration of Swift UltraViolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) which includes: optimum and background apertures, effective area curves, colour transformations, conversion factors for count rates to flux, zero points (which are accurate better than 4 per cent) each seven UVOT broadband filters. The was performed with observations standard stars star fields that represent a wide range spectral types. results include position dependent uniformity, instrument response over...
Merging neutron stars offer an exquisite laboratory for simultaneously studying strong-field gravity and matter in extreme environments. We establish the physical association of electromagnetic counterpart EM170817 to gravitational waves (GW170817) detected from merging stars. By synthesizing a panchromatic dataset, we demonstrate that are long-sought production site forging heavy elements by r-process nucleosynthesis. The weak gamma-rays seen dissimilar classical short gamma-ray bursts with...
With the first direct detection of merging black holes in 2015, era gravitational wave (GW) astrophysics began. A complete picture compact object mergers, however, requires an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart. We report ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray observations by Swift Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray (NuSTAR) EM counterpart binary neutron star merger GW170817. The bright, rapidly fading emission indicates a high mass ($\approx0.03$ solar masses) wind-driven outflow with moderate...
The double explosion of SN 2009ip in 2012 raises questions about our understanding the late stages massive star evolution. Here we present a comprehensive study during its remarkable rebrightenings. High-cadence photometric and spectroscopic observations from GeV to radio band obtained variety ground-based space facilities (including Very Large Array, Swift, Fermi, Hubble Space Telescope, XMM) constrain be low energy (E ∼ 1050 erg for an ejecta mass ∼0.5 M☉) asymmetric complex medium shaped...
We report the discovery of unusually bright long-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB), GRB 221009A, as observed by Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (Swift), Monitor All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI), and Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer Mission (NICER). This energetic was located relatively nearby (z = 0.151), allowing for sustained observations afterglow. The large luminosity low Galactic latitude (b 4.3 degrees) make 221009A a powerful probe dust in Milky Way. Using echo tomography we map...
The Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) is one of three instruments onboard the Swift observatory. photometric calibration has been published, and this paper follows up with details on other aspects including a measurement point spread function an assessment orbital variation effect photometry. A correction for large-scale variations in sensitivity over field view described, as well model coincidence loss which used to assess extended regions. We have provided detector distortion measured...
We report the Swift discovery of nearby long, soft gamma-ray burst GRB 100316D, and subsequent unveiling its low redshift host galaxy associated supernova. derive event to be z = 0.0591 +/- 0.0001 provide accurate astrometry for GRB-SN. study extremely unusual prompt emission with time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy, find that spectrum is best modelled a thermal component in addition synchrotron peak energy. The light curve has remarkably shallow decay out at least 800 s. bright, blue highly...
We present the observations of GRB090510 performed by Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope and Swift observatory. This is a bright, short burst that shows an extended emission detected in GeV range. Furthermore, its optical initially rises, feature so far observed only long bursts, while X-ray flux initial shallow decrease, followed steeper decay. exceptional behavior enables us to investigate physical properties GRB outflow, poorly known bursts. discuss internal shock external models for...
Long-duration Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are an extremely rare outcome of the collapse massive stars, and typically found in distant Universe. Because its intrinsic luminosity ($L\sim 3 \times 10^{53}$ erg s$^{-1}$) relative proximity ($z=0.34$), GRB 130427A was a unique event that reached highest fluence observed gamma-ray band. Here we present comprehensive multiwavelength view with Swift, 2-m Liverpool Faulkes telescopes by other ground-based facilities, highlighting evolution burst emission...
At 66 Mpc, AT2019qiz is the closest optical tidal disruption event (TDE) to date, with a luminosity intermediate between bulk of population and iPTF16fnl. Its proximity allowed very early detection triggering multiwavelength spectroscopic follow-up well before maximum light. The velocity dispersion host galaxy fits TDE light curve indicate black hole mass $\approx 10^6$ M$_\odot$, disrupting star 1$ M$_\odot$. Comprehensive UV, X-ray data shows that emission dominated by an outflow,...
The bright transient AT2018cow has been unlike any other known type of transient. Its high brightness, rapid rise and decay initially nearly featureless spectrum are unprecedented difficult to explain using models for similar burst sources. We present evidence faint gamma-ray emission continuing at least 8 days, spectra in the ultraviolet bands -- both unusual eruptive X-ray variability source a burst-like character. UV-optical does not show CNO line but is well described by blackbody....
We present the first statistical analysis of 27 UVOT optical/ultra-violet lightcurves GRB afterglows. have found, through in observer's frame, that a significant fraction rise 500s after trigger, all decay 500s, typically as power-law with relatively narrow distribution indices, and brightest optical afterglows tend to quickest. find could either be produced physically by start forward shock, when jet begins plough into external medium, or geometrically where an off-axis observer sees rising...
We present the first Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow catalog. The catalog contains data from over 64,000 independent UVOT image observations of 229 GRBs detected by Swift, High Energy Transient Explorer 2 (HETE2), International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), and Interplanetary Network (IPN). covers occurring during period 2005 January 17 to 2007 June 16 includes ∼86% bursts Burst Alert (BAT). provides detailed positional, temporal,...
We present an updated calibration of the Swift/UVOT broadband ultraviolet (uvw1, uvm2, and uvw2) filters. The new accounts for ~1% per year decline in UVOT sensitivity observed all filters, makes use additional sources with a wider range colours HST spectrophotometry. In this paper we effective area curves instrumental photometric zeropoints compare previous calibration.
We present the earliest ultraviolet (UV) observations of bright Type Ia supernova SN 2011fe/PTF11kly in nearby galaxy M101 at a distance only 6.4 Mpc. It was discovered shortly after explosion by Palomar Transient Factory and first observed Swift/UVOT about day explosion. The early UV light is well-defined, with ~20 data points per filter five days These well-sampled form new template curves for comparison other SNe low high redshift. report fits from semi-empirical models find time...
We present an extensive optical and near-infrared photometric spectroscopic campaign of the Type IIP supernova SN 2012aw. The data set densely covers evolution 2012aw shortly after explosion through end photospheric phase, with two additional observations collected during nebular to fit radioactive tail estimate 56Ni mass. Also included in our analysis is previously published Swift UV data, therefore providing a complete view ultraviolet-optical-infrared phase. On basis set, we all relevant...
In this paper we present the results from analysis of a sample 28 gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow spectral energy distributions, spanning X-ray through to near-infrared wavelengths. This is largest GRB distributions thus far studied, providing strong handle on optical depth distribution soft absorption and dust-extinction systems in host galaxies. We detect an system within galaxy 79% sample, extinction 71% find Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) law provide acceptable fit profile for majority...
We report on the detection of a bright, short, structured X-ray burst coming from supernova remnant RCW 103 2016 June 22 caught by Swift/BAT monitor, and follow-up campaign made with Swift/XRT, Swift/UVOT optical/NIR GROND detector. The characteristics this flash, such as duration, spectral shape, are consistent typical short bursts observed soft gamma repeaters. BAT error circle at 68 per cent confidence range encloses point-like source centre nebula, 1E161348-5055. Its nature has been long...
Among Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), a class of overluminous objects exist whose ejecta mass is inferred to be larger than the canonical Chandrasekhar mass. We present and discuss UV/optical photometric light curves, colors, absolute magnitudes, spectra three candidate Super-Chandrasekhar SNe—2009dc, 2011aa, 2012dn—observed with Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. The curves are at broad end for SNe Ia, SN 2011aa being among broadest ever observed. find all have very blue colors which may...
On 2021 August 8, the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi erupted again, after an interval of 15.5 yr. Regular monitoring by Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory began promptly, on 9.9 (0.37 day optical peak), and continued until source passed behind Sun at start November, 86 days later. Observations then restarted 197, once Oph emerged from constraint. This makes first Galactic to have been monitored throughout two eruptions. Here we investigate extensive X-ray datasets 2006 2021, as well more limited...
The existence of black holes masses ~ 10^2-10^5 Msun has important implications for the formation and evolution star clusters supermassive holes. One strongest candidates to date is hyperluminous X-ray source HLX1, possibly located in S0-a galaxy ESO243-49, but lack an identifiable optical counterpart had hampered its interpretation. Using Magellan telescope, we have discovered unresolved with R = (23.80 +/- 0.25) mag V (24.5 0.3) within HLX1's positional error circle. This implies average...
We present very early UV to optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the peculiar Type IIn supernova (SN) 2011ht in UGC 5460. The rise peak are only second ever recorded for a SN by far most complete. SN, first classified as impostor, slowly rose M_V \sim -17 \sim55 days. In contrast \sim2 magnitude increase v-band light curve from observation until peak, flux increased >7 magnitudes. spectra dominated strong, Balmer emission with narrow peaks (FWHM\sim600 km/s), broad...
V745 Sco is a recurrent nova, with the most recent eruption occurring in February 2014. was first observed by Swift mere 3.7 h after announcement of optical discovery, super-soft X-ray emission being detected around 4 d later and lasting for only ∼2 d, making it both fastest follow-up nova earliest switch-on yet detected. Such an early time suggests combination very high velocity outflow low ejected mass and, together effective temperature reached emission, white dwarf (>1.3 M⊙). The...