OGLE-ing the Magellanic System: Optical Reddening Maps of the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud from Red Clump Stars
D. M. Skowron, J. Skowron, A. Udalski, M. K. Szymański, I. Soszyński, Ł. Wyrzykowski, K. Ulaczyk, R. Poleski, S. Kozłowski, P. Pietrukowicz, P. Mróz, K. Rybicki… 展开作者
D. M. Skowron, J. Skowron, A. Udalski, M. K. Szymański, I. Soszyński, Ł. Wyrzykowski, K. Ulaczyk, R. Poleski, S. Kozłowski, P. Pietrukowicz, P. Mróz, K. Rybicki, P. Iwanek, M. Wrona, M. Gromadzki
We present the most extensive and detailed reddening maps of the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) derived from the color properties of Red Clump (RC) stars. The analysis is based on the deep photometric maps from the fourth phase of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE-IV), covering approximately 670 deg2 of the sky in the Magellanic System region. The resulting maps provide reddening information for 180 deg2 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and 75 deg2 in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), with a resolution of 1.7x1.7 arcmin in the central parts of the MCs, decreasing to approximately 27x27 arcmin in the outskirts. The mean reddening is E(V-I) = 0.100 +- 0.043 mag in the LMC and E(V-I) = 0.047 +- 0.025 mag in the SMC. We refine methods of calculating the RC color to obtain the highest possible accuracy of reddening maps based on RC stars. Using spectroscopy of red giants, we find the metallicity gradient in both MCs, which causes a slight decrease of the intrinsic RC color with distance from the galaxy center of ~0.002 mag/deg in the LMC and between 0.003 and 0.009 mag/deg in the SMC. The central values of the intrinsic RC color are 0.886 and 0.877 mag in the LMC and SMC, respectively. The reddening map of the MCs is available on-line both in the downloadable form and as an interactive interface.
We present a three-dimensional structure of the Magellanic System using over 9 000 Classical Cepheids and almost 23 000 RR Lyrae stars from the OGLE Collection of Variable Stars. Given the vast coverage of the OGLE-IV data and very high completeness of the sample, we were able to study the Magellanic System in great details. We very carefully studied the distribution of both types of pulsators in the Magellanic Bridge area. We show that there is no evident physical connection between the Clouds in RR Lyrae stars distribution. We only see the two extended structures overlapping. There are few c…
Three-dimensional reddening maps of the Magellanic Clouds constructed by RR Lyrae stars
School of Physics and Astronomy, Beijing Normal University（北京师范大学物理与天文学院）；Institute for Frontiers in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Beijing Normal University（北京师范大学前沿天文与天体物理研究所）；University of Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院大学）；National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院国家天文台）
We present a detailed analysis of Magellanic Bridge Cepheid sample constructed using the OGLE Collection of Variable Stars. Our updated Bridge sample contains 10 classical and 13 anomalous Cepheids. We calculate their individual distances using optical period--Wesenheit relations and construct three-dimensional maps. Classical Cepheids on-sky locations match very well neutral hydrogen and young stars distributions, thus they add to the overall Bridge young population. In three dimensions, eight out of ten classical Cepheids form a bridge-like connection between the Magellanic Clouds. The other…
We use the extended and updated OGLE Collection of Variable Stars to thoroughly analyze distribution of RR Lyrae stars in the Magellanic Bridge. We use photometric metallicities to derive absolute Wesenheit magnitude and then individual distance of each RR Lyr star. We confirm results from our earlier study showing that RR Lyr stars are present in between the Magellanic Clouds, though their three-dimensional distribution rather resembles two extended overlapping structures than a strict bridge-like connection. The contours do connect in the southern parts of the Bridge, albeit on a too low lev…
In an era of extensive photometric observations, the catalogs of RR Lyr type variable stars number tens of thousands of objects. The relation between the iron abundance [Fe/H] and the Fourier parameters of the stars light curve allows us to investigate mean metallicities and metallicity gradients in various stellar environments, independently of time-consuming spectroscopic observations. In this paper we use almost 6500 $V$- and $I$-band light curves of fundamental mode RR Lyr stars from the OGLE-IV survey to provide a relation between the $V$- and $I$-band phase parameter $φ_{31}$ used to est…
We examine the properties of the Magellanic Bridge connecting the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds using ab-type RR Lyrae variables from the extensive dataset of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE), Phase IV data release. The metallicities of the RR Lyraes are determined from the characteristics of their light curves, with an average abundance of [Fe/H] = -1.790 +/- 0.011 (sem) in the Magellanic Bridge. From the individual reddenings of these stars, derived via their minimum light curve colors, we determined a median color excess of E(V-I) = 0.101 +/- 0.007 (sem) (implying E(B…
We report the discovery of a young stellar bridge, that forms a continuous connection between the Magellanic Clouds. This finding is based on number density maps for stellar populations found in data gathered by OGLE-IV, that fully cover over 270 deg^2 of the sky in the Magellanic Bridge area. This is the most extensive optical survey of this region up to date. We find that the young population is present mainly in the western half of the MBR, which, together with the newly discovered young population in the eastern Bridge, form a continuous stream of stars connecting both galaxies along Dec ~…
We present a three-dimensional analysis of a sample of 22 859 type $ab$ RR Lyrae stars in the Magellanic System from the OGLE-IV Collection of RR Lyrae stars. The distance to each object was calculated based on its photometric metallicity and a theoretical relation between color, absolute magnitude and metallicity. The LMC RR Lyrae distribution is very regular and does not show any substructures. We demonstrate that the bar found in previous studies may be an overdensity caused by blending and crowding effects. The halo is asymmetrical with a higher stellar density in its north-eastern area, w…
We present a study of simultaneous determination of mean distance and reddening to the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using the two photometric band RR Lyrae data. Currently available largest number of highly accurate and precise light curve data of the fundamental mode RR Lyrae stars (RRab) with better areal coverage released by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE)-IV project observed in the two photometric bands $(V,I)$ were utilised simultaneously in order to determine true distance and reddening independently for each of the individual RRab stars. Different empirical and theor…
We present results from a study of ab-type RR Lyrae variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud using the extensive dataset from phase III of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE). The metallicities of the RR Lyraes, determined from the periods and amplitudes of their light curves, reveal a statistically significant radial abundance gradient that is approximately one-half of what is seen in the disks of the Milky Way and M33. The RR Lyrae abundance gradient agrees with that of the old and metal-poor LMC globular clusters. The reddenings of the OGLE RR Lyraes have been calculated usin…
We use the recently released OGLE-III catalog of 17692 fundamental mode RR Lyr (RRab) stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) to investigate the structure of its stellar halo. We apply conservative cuts in period, amplitude and magnitude to remove blends and other contamination. We use period--luminosity and period--color relations to determine distance and extinction of every star in our final sample of 9393 stars. In order to determine the scatter of our method, we compare the distributions of distances in two regions at the edges of the covered area with a central region. We determine the…
Context. RR Lyrae stars are useful standard candles allowing one to derive accurate distances for old star clusters. Based on the recent catalogues from OGLE-IV and Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3), the distances can be improved for a few bulge globular clusters. Aims. The aim of this work is to derive an accurate distance for the following six moderately metal-poor, relatively high-reddening bulge globular clusters: NGC 6266, NGC 6441, NGC 6626, NGC 6638, NGC 6642, and NGC 6717. Methods. We combined newly available OGLE-IV catalogues of variable stars containing mean I magnitudes, with Clemen…
We combine the NLTE spectral analysis of the detached O-type eclipsing binary OGLE-LMC-ECL-06782 with the analysis of the radial velocity curve and light curve to measure an independent distance to the LMC. In our spectral analysis we study composite spectra of the system at quadrature and use the information from radial velocity and light curve about stellar gravities, radii and component flux ratio to derive effective temperature, reddening, extinction and intrinsic surface brightness. We obtain a distance modulus to the LMC of m - M = 18.53 +/- 0.04 mag. This value is 0.05 mag larger than t…
We have analyzed the long period, double-lined eclipsing binary system OGLE SMC113.3 4007 (SC10 137844) in the SMC. The binary lies in the north-eastern part of the galaxy and consists of two evolved, well detached, non-active G8 giants. The orbit is eccentric with e = 0.311 and the orbital period is 371.6 days. Using extensive high-resolution spectroscopic and multi-color photometric data we have determined a true distance modulus of the system of m-M=18.83 +/- 0.02 (statistical) +/- 0.05 (systematic) mag using a surface brightness - color relation for giant stars. This method is very insensi…
We performed a new and accurate fit of light and radial velocity curves of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) Cepheid --OGLE-LMC-CEP-0227-- belonging to a detached double-lined eclipsing binary system. We computed several sets of nonlinear, convective models covering a broad range in stellar mass, effective temperature and in chemical composition. The comparison between theory and observations indicates that current theoretical framework accounts for luminosity --V and I band-- and radial velocity variations over the entire pulsation cycle. Predicted pulsation mass --M=4.14+-0.06 Mo-- and mean e…
The new data for Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE-III) survey allow us to study the three-dimensional distribution of stars corresponding to young (a few tens to a few hundreds of millions of years) and old (typically older than ~9 Gyr) populations of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) traced by these variable stars. We estimate the distance to 16949 RR Lyrae stars by using their photometrically estimated metallicities. Furthermore the periods of 1849 Cepheids are used to determine their distances. Three-dimensional maps are obtained by using indi…
JHKs magnitudes corrected to mean intensity are estimated for LMC type II Cepheids in the OGLE-III survey. Period-luminosity (PL) relations are derived in JHKs as well as in a reddening-free VI parameter. Within the uncertainties the BL Her stars (P < 4 d) and the W Vir stars (P = 4 to 20 d) are co-linear in these PL relations. The slopes of the infrared relations agree with those found previously for type II Cepheids in globular clusters within the uncertainties. Using the pulsation parallaxes of V553 Cen and SW Tau the data lead to an LMC modulus uncorrected for any metallicity effects of 18…
We study the near-infrared properties of 690 Mira candidates in the central region of the Large Magellanic Cloud, based on time-series observations at JHKs. We use densely-sampled I-band observations from the OGLE project to generate template light curves in the near infrared and derive robust mean magnitudes at those wavelengths. We obtain near-infrared Period-Luminosity relations for Oxygen-rich Miras with a scatter as low as 0.12 mag at Ks. We study the Period-Luminosity-Color relations and the color excesses of Carbon-rich Miras, which show evidence for a substantially different reddening …
The mechanism behind the Long Secondary Period (LSP) observed in pulsating red giants still remains unknown. In this work, I investigate the connection between the Red Giant Branch and Asymptotic Giant Branch evolution and the appearance of the LSP - the phenomenon observed in a large fraction the red giants. I use the OGLE-III sample of the OSARG variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud. I construct the density maps in the period-luminosity as well as color-magnitude planes for the stars showing LSP and compare them to the remaining giants. I also fit the spectral energy distribution to test w…
Towards early-type eclipsing binaries as extragalactic milestones: III. Physical properties of the O-type eclipsing binary OGLE LMC-ECL-21568 in a quadruple system
We have estimated JHKs magnitudes corrected to mean intensity for LMC type II Cepheids found in the OGLE-III survey. Period-luminosity relations (PLRs) are derived in JHKs as well as in a reddening-free VI parameter. The BL Her stars (P<4d) and the W Vir stars (P=4 to 20d) are co-linear in these PLRs. The slopes of the infrared relations agree with those found previously for type II Cepheids in globular clusters within the uncertainties. Using the pulsation parallaxes of V553 Cen and SW Tau, the data lead to an LMC modulus of 18.46+-0.10 mag, uncorrected for any metallicity effects. We have no…
We have introduced a semi-automated quantitative method to estimate the age and reddening of 1072 star clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) III survey data. This study brings out 308 newly parameterised clusters. In a first of its kind, the LMC clusters are classified into groups based on richness/mass as very poor, poor, moderate and rich clusters, similar to the classification scheme of open clusters in the Galaxy. A major cluster formation episode is found to happen at 125 +- 25 Myr in the inner LMC. The bar region of the LMC…
We use data on variable stars from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE III) survey to determine the three-dimensional structure of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Deriving individual distances to RR Lyrae stars and Cepheids we investigate the distribution of these tracers of the old and young population in the SMC. Photometrically estimated metallicities are used to determine the distances to 1494 RR Lyrae stars, which have typical ages greater than 9 Gyr. For 2522 Cepheids, with ages of a few tens to a few hundred Myr, distances are calculated using their period-luminosity re…
RR Lyrae stars (RRLS) belong to population II and are generally used as a tracer of the host galaxy halo. The surface as well as vertical distribution of RRLS in the inner Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are studied to understand whether these stars are actually formed in the halo. RRLS identified by the OGLE III survey are used to estimate their number density distribution. The scale-height of their distribution is estimated using extinction corrected average magnitudes of ab type stars. The density distribution mimics the bar, confirming results in the literature. The distribution of their scal…
Small amplitude oscillations are observed in red giant branch (RGB) stars. Data on such oscillations are a source of information about the objects, notably about properties of convection in their envelopes and about the systems these objects inhabit. The OGLE-III catalog contains data for about 80 thousand small amplitude variable red giants (OSARGs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We want to explain variability in OSARGs as the solar-like oscillation and to associate the peaks in power spectra with frequencies of acoustic modes. We use data on reddening-free magnitudes of the objects and inter…
We present the largest near-infrared (NIR) data sets, $JHKs$, ever collected for classical Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). We selected fundamental (FU) and first overtone (FO) pulsators, and found 4150 (2571 FU, 1579 FO) Cepheids for Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and 3042 (1840 FU, 1202 FO) for Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Current sample is 2--3 times larger than any sample used in previous investigations with NIR photometry. We also discuss optical $VI$ photometry from OGLE-III. NIR and optical--NIR Period-Wesenheit (PW) relations are linear over the entire period range ($0.0<\log P_…
We analyse deep images from the VISTA survey of the Magellanic Clouds in the YJKs filters, covering 14 sqrdeg (10 tiles), split into 120 subregions, and comprising the main body and Wing of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We apply a colour--magnitude diagram reconstruction method that returns their best-fitting star formation rate SFR(t), age-metallicity relation (AMR), distance and mean reddening, together with 68% confidence intervals. The distance data can be approximated by a plane tilted in the East-West direction with a mean inclination of 39 deg, although deviations of up to 3 kpc sug…
Mennickent et al.and Sabogal et al.identified a large number of Classical Be (CBe) candidates in the L&SMC based on their photometric variability using the OGLEII database. They classified these stars into four different groups based on the appearance of their variability. We studied the infrared properties of the sample as well as the spectroscopic properties of a subsample. We cross-correlated the optical sample with the IRSF catalog to obtain the J, H, Ks magnitudes of all the four types of stars in the L&SMC. Spectra of 120 stars belonging to the types 1, 2 and 3 were analysed to study the…
Be stars are main-sequence massive stars with emission features in their spectrum, which originates in circumstellar gaseous discs. Even though the viscous decretion disc (VDD) model can satisfactorily explain most observations, two important physical ingredients, namely the magnitude of the viscosity ($α$) and the disk mass injection rate, remain poorly constrained. The light curves of Be stars that undergo events of disc formation and dissipation offer an opportunity to constrain these quantities. A pipeline was developed to model these events that uses a grid of synthetic light curves, comp…
