The Nova Synthetic Data Base (NSDB) is presented as the first publicly available database of synthetic spectra for classical nova shells, spanning an unprecedented range of physical parameters (e.g., ejecta mass, chemical composition, temperature, and luminosity of the white dwarf) at several posteruption ages. Generated using detailed 3D photoionization models, this homogeneous database enables a systematic exploration of spectral features in novae. In this work, we introduce a principal component analysis/AI-based framework to derive time-dependent proxies for retrieving the physical properties of novae from limited spectral data. By analyzing the correlations between the eigenspectra and the grid’s variables, a reduced set of diagnostic spectral lines is derived, paving the way for robust multiregressor machine-learning algorithms with a minimal effort observational set. The prediction capability of the method is high and robust to data noise. The results establish a proof of concept for the use of model grids combined with physically controlled AI as a tool to interpret novae observations in the context of the large number of events expected from future wide-area surveys.

We analyse the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the eclipsing supersoft X-ray source CAL 87 covering wavelengths from X-rays to the near-infrared. Our study incorporates 26 data points across ultraviolet to near-infrared, sourced from published literature, unpublished data, and new observations. In addition, archival XMM-Newton spectra were used to represent the X-ray emission. Care was taken to use out-of-eclipse flux measurements when the irradiated side of the companion faces the observer. The SED model includes contributions from a central source, a reprocessed accretion disk, and an irradiated companion star atmosphere, resulting in a good match to the observed fluxes. The revised and new parameters for the disk and the central source align with previous studies and match expectations for such systems. The temperature of the irradiated side of the companion star was estimated based on its B-V colour during the secondary eclipse. This work highlights the importance of broad wavelength coverage for understanding the properties of supersoft X-ray sources.

Globular clusters (GCs) are fundamental for understanding the integrated light of old stellar populations and galaxy assembly processes. However, the role of hot, evolved stars, such as horizontal branch (HB), extreme HB, and blue stragglers, remains poorly constrained. These stars are often underrepresented or entirely excluded from stellar population models, despite their dominant contribution to the ultraviolet (UV) flux. Their presence can bias age estimates by mimicking the spectral signatures of younger populations. We examined the impact of evolved hot stars on the models using two well-studied Galactic GCs with high-quality Hubble Space Telescope photometry and integrated spectra from the International Ultraviolet Explorer and the Blanco Telescope. NGC 2808 and NGC 7089 (M 2) have extended HBs and are proxies for old stellar populations. Integrated spectra were constructed using a color magnitude diagram-based (CMD-based) method, matching observed stars to evolutionary phases and then to appropriate synthetic stellar libraries, enabling the HB morphology to be taken into account. Our findings show that the inclusion of evolved hot stars significantly improves the agreement between the model and observed spectra from the UV to the optical. The inclusion of these phases reduced the residuals in spectral comparisons. Our results reinforce that comprehensive stellar population models incorporating evolved hot components are essential to accurately date unresolved systems and to robustly trace formation histories of extragalactic galaxies.

ABSTRACT The shell of the classical nova V5668 Sgr was resolved by ALMA at the frequency of 230 GHz 927 d after eruption, showing that most of the continuum bremsstrahlung emission originates in clumps with diameter smaller than 1015 cm. Using Very Large Array radio observations, obtained between days 2 and 1744 after eruption, at frequencies between 1 and 35 GHz, we modelled the nova spectra, assuming first that the shell is formed by a fixed number of identical clumps, and afterwards with the clumps having a power-law distribution of sizes, and were able to obtain the clump’s physical parameters (radius, density, and temperature). We found that the density of the clumps decreases linearly with the increase of the shell’s volume, which is compatible with the existence of a second media, hotter and thinner, in pressure equilibrium with the clumps. We show that this thinner media could be responsible for the emission of the hard X-rays observed at the early times of the nova eruption, and that the clump’s temperature evolution follows that of the super-soft X-ray luminosity. We propose that the clumps were formed in the radiative shock produced by the collision of the fast wind of the white dwarf after eruption, with the slower velocity of the thermonuclear ejecta. From the total mass of the clumps, the observed expansion velocity and thermonuclear explosion models, we obtained an approximate value of 1.25 M⊙ for the mass of the white dwarf, a central temperature of 107 K and an accretion rate from the secondary star of 10−9–10−8 M⊙ yr−1.

Context. Estimating the physical states of the surfaces of fast-rotating stars is challenging due to several intrinsic processes, which include radiative flux inhomogeneities on the photosphere induced by rotation and circumstellar signatures in their spectra. The analysis of their spectra ultimately requires the use of synthetic grids of spectra accounting for all these physical processes. Aims. In this paper, we present the 'von ZeiPEl's code for gravity darKening specTRal synthesis' (ZPEKTR) code, which is designed to perform the spectral synthesis of fast-rotating stars, accounting for gravity darkening, limb-darkening effects in the continuum and geometrical deformation induced by fast rotation. Methods. We consider colatitudinal temperature and surface-gravity variations, assuming both the classical prescription developed by von Zeipel and the new formulation by Espinosa-Lara. The code runs either with a rectangular or a triangular mesh on the stellar surface. We compare the temperature and gravitational distribution as a function of the stellar latitude arising from both models. Results. The line profiles of He I 4388, 4471, 4922, and 6678 & Aring; produced with both formalisms are compared at three different rotation rates and illustrate differences in shape and central intensity. We also illustrate the fittings of 31 line spectra of classical Be stars averaged from the Be Stars Observation Survey (BeSOS) database and make a comparison among their apparent physical parameters and ages determined from plane-parallel non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (non-LTE) models and parameters determined from classical von Zeipel models, finding a displacement of more evolved objects towards the zero-age main sequence. We also compare the distributions of projected rotation velocities of these objects obtained with and without the inclusion of gravity-darkening effects with ZPEKTR. Conclusions. We observe a shift of the histogram of rotation velocities calculated accounting for effects of gravity darkening concerning rotation velocities obtained through the fittings with classical plane-parallel non-LTE models. We show that models that do not account for gravity darkening can underestimate the rotation velocity, because the stellar latitudes that contribute the higher velocities are those in the equator with the least radiative flux. We envisage near-future improvements to the code, such as the inclusion of differential rotation and treatment of tidal forces in binary stellar systems.

ABSTRACT In this study, we present an analysis of over 34 yr of observational data from CAL 87, an eclipsing supersoft X-ray source. The primary aim of our study, which combines previously analysed measurements as well as unexplored publicly available data sets, is to examine the orbital period evolution of CAL 87. After meticulously and consistently determining the eclipse timings, we constructed an O − C (observed minus calculated) diagram using a total of 38 data points. Our results provide confirmation of a positive derivative in the system’s orbital period, with a determined value of $\dot{P}=+\, 8.18\pm 1.46\times 10^{-11}$ s s−1. We observe a noticeable jitter in the eclipse timings and additionally identify a systematic delay in the X-ray eclipses compared to those observed in longer wavelengths. We discuss the interplay of the pertinent factors that could contribute to a positive period derivative and the inherent variability in the eclipses.

ABSTRACT In this study, we revisit public data on the supersoft X-ray source CAL 83 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. A significant part of our analysis is focused on XMM–Newton X-ray observations, in which updated data reduction procedures and quality assessment were applied. We report on the capability of publicly available hot atmosphere models in describing the source’s soft X-ray spectrum. By gathering historical flux measurements in multiple wavelengths and comparing them with the fluxes derived from the X-ray analysis, we find that an ∼360 kK phenomenological blackbody model describes the spectral energy distribution of CAL 83 fairly well. We also retrieve data from the XMM–Newton ultraviolet (UV)/optical camera, which is co-aligned with the X-ray instruments and provides strictly simultaneous measurements. These observations demonstrate that the X-ray emission is definitely anti-correlated with emission at longer wavelengths on a time-scale of days to weeks. A closer look at simultaneous X-ray and UV count rates in single light curves reveals that the anti-correlated behaviour is actually present on time-scales as short as minutes, suggesting that the origin of variable emission in the system is not unique.

We present an update of the grid of detailed atmosphere models and homogeneous synthetic spectra for hot, high-gravity subdwarf stars. High-resolution spectra and synthetic photometry were calculated in the wavelength range 1,000 Å – 10,000 Å using Non-LTE extensively line-blanketed atmosphere structures.

In spite of the advent of extremely large telescopes in the UV/optical/NIR range, the current generation of 8-10m facilities is likely to remain competitive at ground-UV wavelengths for the foreseeable future. The Cassegrain U-Band Efficient Spectrograph (CUBES) has been designed to provide high-efficiency (>40 300-420 nm goal) at a spectral resolving power of R>20,000, although a lower-resolution, sky-limited mode of R 7,000 is also planned. CUBES will offer new possibilities in many fields of astrophysics, providing access to key lines of stellar spectra: a tremendous diversity of iron-peak and heavy elements, lighter elements (in particular Beryllium) and light-element molecules (CO, CN, OH), as well as Balmer lines and the Balmer jump (particularly important for young stellar objects). The UV range is also critical in extragalactic studies: the circumgalactic medium of distant galaxies, the contribution of different types of sources to the cosmic UV background, the measurement of H2 and primordial Deuterium in a regime of relatively transparent intergalactic medium, and follow-up of explosive transients. The CUBES project completed a Phase A conceptual design in June 2021 and has now entered the Phase B dedicated to detailed design and construction. First science operations are planned for 2028. In this paper, we briefly describe the CUBES project development and goals, the main science cases, the instrument design and the project organization and management.

VERMILION is a VLTI visitor instrument project intended to extend the sensitivity and the spectral coverage of Optical Long Baseline Interferometry (OLBIn). It is based on a new concept of Fringe Tracker (VERMILIONFT) combined with a J band spectro-interferometer (VERMILION-J). The Fringe Tracker is the Adaptive Optics module specific to OLBIn that measures and corrects in real time the Optical Path Difference (OPD) perturbations introduced by the atmosphere and the interferometer, by providing a sensitivity gain of 2 to 3 magnitudes over all other state of the art fringe trackers. The J band spectro-interferometer will provide all interferometric measurements as a function of wavelength. In addition to a possible synergy with MATISSE, VERMILION-J, by observing at high spectral resolution many strong lines in J (Paβ-γ, HeII, TiO and other metallic monoxides), will cover several scientific topics, e.g. Exoplanets, YSOs, Binaries, Active Hot, Evolved stars, Asteroseismology, and also AGNs.

Eclipsing binaries allow the study of physical stellar parameters in a model-independent way, when photometric and spectroscopic data are combined. However, when spectroscopic data are not available, purely photometric methods can be adopted to first estimate stellar properties, especially for large samples. Cruz et al. have then characterized components of detached EB systems from photometric colors and light curves from the literature, with the purpose of estimating trends from statistical values. An inflation trend of around 20% was estimated, which is in agreement with several results from the literature. As a response to MacDonald & Mullan, the obtained values for individual systems should not be analyzed separately, since they could mislead the results. We encourage further spectroscopic measurements to verify the values estimated from the photometric method.

ABSTRACT We present Hubble Space Telescope optical images, Keck-OSIRIS near-infrared (NIR) integral field spectroscopy data cubes and Keck-Near InfraRed Camera-2 (NIRC2) NIR images of nova V5668 Sgr from 2016 to 2019. The observations indicate enhanced emission at the polar caps and equatorial torus for low-ionization lines, and enhanced high-ionization emission lines only at the polar caps. The radial velocities are compatible with a homogeneous expansion velocity of v = 590 km s−1 and a system inclination angle of 24°. These values were used to estimate an expansion parallax distance of 1200 ± 400 pc. The NIRC2 data indicate the presence of dust in 2016 and 2017, but no dust emission could be detected in 2019. The observational data were used for assembling 3D photoionization models of the ejecta. The model results indicate that the central source has a temperature of 1.88 × 105 K and a luminosity of 1.6 × 1035 erg s−1 in August of 2017 (2.4 yr post eruption), and that the shell has a mass of 6.3 × 10−5 M⊙. The models also suggest anisotropy of the ionizing flux, possibly by the contribution from a luminous accretion disc.

The characterisation of detached eclipsing binaries with low mass components has become important when verifying the role of convection in stellar evolutionary models, which requires model-independent measurements of stellar parameters with great precision. However, spectroscopic characterisation depends on single-target radial velocity observations and only a few tens of well-studied low-mass systems have been diagnosed in this way. We characterise eclipsing detached systems from the Kepler field with low mass components by adopting a purely-photometric method. Based on an extensive multi-colour dataset, we derive effective temperatures and photometric masses of individual components using clustering techniques. We also estimate the stellar radii from additional modelling of the available Kepler light curves. Our measurements confirm the presence of an inflation trend in the mass-radius diagram against theoretical stellar models in the low-mass regime.

We introduce the scientific motivations for the development of the Cassegrain U-Band Efficient Spectrograph (CUBES) that is now in construction for the Very Large Telescope. The assembled cases span a broad range of contemporary topics across Solar System, Galactic and extragalactic astronomy, where observations are limited by the performance of current ground-based spectrographs shortwards of 400 nm. A brief background to each case is presented and specific technical requirements on the instrument design that flow-down from each case are identified. These were used as inputs to the CUBES design, that will provide a factor of ten gain in efficiency for astronomical spectroscopy over 300-405 nm, at resolving powers of R ∼ 24,000 and ∼ 7,000. We include performance estimates that demonstrate the ability of CUBES to observe sources that are up to three magnitudes fainter than currently possible at ground-ultraviolet wavelengths, and we place its predicted performance in the context of existing facillities.

A new grid of detailed atmosphere model spectra for hot and moderately cool subdwarf stars is presented. High-resolution spectra and synthetic photometry are calculated in the range from 1000–10,000 Å using non-LTE fully line-blanketed atmosphere structures. Our grid covers eight temperatures within 10,000 ≤ T eff [K] ≤ 65,000, three surface gravities in the range 4.5 ≤ log g [cgs] ≤ 6.5, two helium abundances matching two extreme helium-rich and helium-poor scenarios, and two limiting metallicity boundaries regarding both solar ([Fe/H] = 0) and Galactic halos ([Fe/H] = −1.5 and [α/Fe] = +0.4). Besides its application in the determination of fundamental parameters of subdwarfs in isolation and in binaries, the resulting database is also of interest for population synthesis procedures in a wide variety of stellar systems.

A study on the photosphere and disc of the Be star beta Psc is presented. We recover almost 40 yr of high-resolution spectroscopic observations and additional data gathered from the BeSS data base. We evaluate the photospheric parameters from the spectral energy distribution (SED) and fittings of state-of-the-art non-LTE model atmospheres to observed helium, carbon, silicon, and magnesium line profiles. Our models include the stellar geometric deformation as well as the co-latitude dependence of temperature and gravity, aiming to derive the effects of rotation on the stellar parameters. We estimate the circumstellar disc parameters from the fitting of models assuming different disc properties, namely its radius and gas density profile. The disc inclination angle i is constrained from the fittings of He I 4471 angstrom, MgII 4481 angstrom, CII 4267 angstrom, and Si II 4128, 4132 angstrom lines with gravity darkened models. Our findings, based on model fittings, suggest that during the last 40 yr, the disc radius changed within the interval 5.5 <= R-d <= 7.8 R/R-*, the disc base gas density within 5 x 10(-13) <= rho <= 1 x 10(-12) g cm(-3), while the radial power-law density index m assumed values between 2.0 and 2.3. These results are in agreement with recent works dealing with spectroscopic and interferometric measurements of this object.

The Commission on Science and Information Technology (CTCI) of the Brazilian Astronomical Society (SAB) is tasked with assisting the Society on issues of astronomical data management, from its handling and the management of data centres and networks, to technical aspects of the archiving, storage and dissemination of data. In this paper we present a summary of the results of a survey recently conducted by the Commission to diagnose the status of several data-related issues within the Brazilian astronomical community, as well as some proposals derived therefrom.

We present the Strategic Scientific Plan (SSP) for the direction and activities of the Gemini Observatory in the 2020s. The overarching goal is to ensure that Gemini best uses the available resources to serve the needs of its international user community throughout the coming decade. The actionable items fall into three general categories: (1) preserving Gemini's current facilities and strengths; (2) developing instrumentation and software systems, including data pipelines, to enable new scientific capabilities that build on those strengths; (3) strategizing how visiting instruments can deliver additional valuable capabilities. We provide a high-level timeline (schematically illustrated in one figure) for the main developments discussed in this SSP. The schedule is ambitious, but in light of the recent Gemini in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy (GEMMA) award from the NSF, the plan becomes achievable. Lists of milestones are given for gauging progress. As these milestones are reached and new instruments become available, some current instruments will need to be retired; we make recommendations in this regard. The final section concludes by reemphasizing the importance of a strong partnership committed to the needs of all members.

We present the detection and imaging of the spatially resolved shell of nova V382 Vel with SOAR adaptive optics module (SAM). The shell was observed in narrow-band filters H alpha and [O III] 5007 angstrom revealing different structures in each filter. The shell's angular diameter obtained was 9.9 arcsec, equivalent to 2.8 x 10(17) cm, using the distance of 1.79 kpc obtained by the Gaia mission. The upper limit for total shell mass derived from recombination lines is M-s = 1.4 x 10(-4) M-circle dot. Our photoionization models indicate an accretion disk with T-d = 60,000 K and L = 10(36) ergs as main ionizing source.