We report on photometric, spectroscopic and polarimetric monitoring of the optical and near-infrared (NIR) afterglow of GRB020405. Ground-based optical observations, performed with 8 di fferent telescopes, started about 1 day after the high-energy prompt event and spanned a period of ∼10 days; the addition of archival HST data extended the coverage up to ∼150 days after the GRB. We report the first detection of the afterglow in NIR bands. The detection of Balmer and oxygen emission lines in the optical spectrum of the host galaxy indicates that the GRB is located at redshift z = 0.691. Fe and Mg  absorption systems are detected at z = 0.691 and atz = 0.472 in the afterglow optical spectrum. The latter system is likely caused by absorbing clouds in the galaxy complex located ∼2′′ southwest of the GRB020405 host. Hence, for the first time, the galaxy responsible for an intervening absorption line system in the spectrum of a GRB afterglow is spectroscopically identified. Optical and NIR photometry of the afterglow indicates that, between 1 and 10 days after the GRB, the decay in all bands is consistent with a single power law of index α = 1.54± 0.06. The late-epoch VLTJ-band and HST optical points lie above the extrapolation of this power law, so that a plateau (or “bump”) is apparent in the VRIJ light curves at 10–20 days after the GRB. The light curves at epochs later than day ∼20 after the GRB are consistent with a power-law decay with index α′ = 1.85±0.15. While other authors have proposed to reproduce the bump with the template of the supernova (SN) 1998bw, considered the prototypical “hypernova”, we suggest that it can also be modeled with a SN having the same temporal profile as the other proposed hypernova SN2002ap, but 1.3 mag brighter at peak, and located at the GRB redshift. Alternatively, a shock re-energization may be responsible for the rebrightening. A single polarimetric R-band measurement shows that the afterglow is polarized, with P = 1.5±0.4% and polarization angle θ = 172◦ ±8◦. Broad-band optical-NIR spectral flux distributions show, in the first days after the GRB, a change of slope across the J band which we interpret as due to the presence of the electron cooling frequency νc. The analysis of the multiwavelength spectrum within the standard fireball model suggests that a population of relativistic electrons with indexp ∼ 2.7 produces the optical-NIR emission via synchrotron radiation in an adiabatically expanding blastwave, with negligible host galaxy extinction, and the X–rays via Inverse Compton scattering o ff lower-frequency afterglow photons.

We present multiwavelength observations of a gamma-ray burst detected by INTEGRAL (GRB 030227) between 5.3 hours and∼1.7 days after the event. Here we report the discovery of a dim optical afterglow (OA) that would not have been detected by many previous searches due to its faintess ( R ∼ 23). This OA was seen to decline following a power law decay with indexαR = −0.95± 0.16. The spectral index βopt/NIR yielded−1.25± 0.14. These values may be explained by a relativistic expansion of a fireball (withp= 2.0) in the cooling regime. We also find evidence for inverse Compton scattering in X-rays.

We present results derived from four stellar occultations by the plutino object (208996) 2003 AZ84, detected on 2011 January 8 (single-chord event), 2012 February 3 (multi-chord), 2013 December 2 (single-chord), and 2014 November 15 (multi-chord). Our observations rule out an oblate spheroid solution for 2003 AZ84's shape. Instead, assuming hydrostatic equilibrium, we find that a Jacobi triaxial solution with semiaxes km can better account for all our occultation observations. Combining these dimensions with the rotation period of the body (6.75 hr) and the amplitude of its rotation light curve, we derive a density g cm−3, a geometric albedo . A grazing chord observed during the 2014 occultation reveals a topographic feature along 2003 AZ84's limb, which can be interpreted as an abrupt chasm of width ∼23 km and depth km, or a smooth depression of width ∼80 km and depth ∼13 km (or an intermediate feature between those two extremes).

We present results of our time variability studies of MgII and Al III absorption lines in a sample of 22 Low Ionization Broad Absorption Line QSOs (LoBAL QSOs) at 0.2 = zem = 2.1 using the 2-m telescope at IUCAA Girawali Observatory over a time-scale of 10 d to 7.69 years in the QSO's rest frame. Spectra are analysed in conjunction with photometric light curves from Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey. Long time-scale (i. e. = 1 year) absorption line variability is seen in eight cases (36 per cent systems) while only four of them (i. e. 18 per cent systems) show variability over short time-scales (i. e. < 1 year). We notice a tendency of highly variable LoBAL QSOs to have high ejection velocity, low equivalent width and low redshift. The detection rate of variability in LoBAL QSOs showing Fe fine-structure lines (FeLoBAL QSOs) is less than that seen in non-Fe LoBAL QSOs. Absorption line variability is more frequently detected in QSOs having continuum dominated by Fe emission lines compared to rest of the QSOs. Confirming these trends with a bigger sample will give vital clues for understanding the physical distinction between different BAL QSO sub-classes. We correlate the absorption line variability with various parameters derived from continuum light curves and find no clear correlation between continuum flux and absorption line variabilities. However, sources with large absorption line variability also show large variability in their light curves. We also see appearance/ disappearance of absorption components in two cases and clear indications for profile variations in four cases. The observed variability can be best explained by a combination of process driven by continuum variations and clouds transiting across the line of sight.

We report the detection of H2 in a zabs= 0.0963 Damped Lyman-{\alpha} (DLA) system towards zem = 0.4716 QSO J1619+3342. This DLA has log N(H I) = 20.55 (0.10), 18.13 < log N(H2) < 18.40, [S/H] = -0.62 (0.13), [Fe/S] = -1.00 (0.17) and the molecular fraction -2.11 < log f(H2) < -1.85. The inferred gas kinetic temperature using the rotational level population is in the range 95 - 132 K. We do not detect C I or C II* absorption from this system. Using R- and V-band deep images we identify a sub-L* galaxy at an impact parameter of 14 kpc from the line of sight, having consistent photometric redshift, as a possible host for the absorber. We use the photoionization code CLOUDY to get the physical conditions in the H2 component using the observational constrains from H2, C I, C II* and Mg I. All the observations can be consistently explained if one or more of the following is true: (i) Carbon is underabundant by more than 0.6 dex as seen in halo stars with Z ~ 0.1 Z_sun, (ii) H I associated with H2 component is less than 50% of the H I measured along the line of sight and (iii) the H2 formation rate on the dust grains is at least a factor two higher than what is typically used in analytic calculations for Milky Way interstellar medium. Even when these are satisfied, the gas kinetic temperature in the models are much lower than what is inferred from the ortho-to-para ratio of the molecular hydrogen. Alternatively the high kinetic temperature could be a consequence of contribution to the gas heating from non-radiative heating processes seen in hydrodynamical simulations.

Aims. We study the evolution of the recurrent nova U Scorpii during its outburst in 2010.Methods. Optical spectroscopic observations of the nova were obtained during 0.83-162.5 days after outburst maximum. Optical linear polarisation observations were made before the onset of the super soft X-ray source (SSS) phase and during the SSS phase. Radio continuum observations were made in the 1280 MHz band during the early decline phase, and in the 610 MHz band at the onset and end of the SSS phase. We also present optical spectra obtained in the pre-outburst quiescence phase.Results. The overall spectral evolution during the 2010 outburst is similar to the previous outbursts. However, the dense temporal coverage, especially during the early phases, reveals several short term variations not reported previously. The early phase emission line widths indicate extremely high velocities for the nova ejecta, similar to 10000 km s(-1). The line profiles are broad, boxy and structured. Narrow P-Cygni absorptions, at similar to 500 km s(-1) are seen associated with the He I lines, and also the Call, N I and hydrogen lines (at wavelengths >8000 angstrom) in the spectrum of day 6.83, obtained immediately after an optical flare. This absorption component could be arising in the plasma emitting the Nitrogen lines seen in X-rays, that probably lies outside the binary orbit. Rapid variations are detected in the strength of the 4660 angstrom N III feature, which shows a significant increase in the line strength on days 8.83 and 13.82, at orbital phases of 0.75 and 0.25, respectively. Instrinsic polarisation is detected just before the onset, and during the SSS phase, with p similar to 1.4% during the SSS phase. The flux variations of the N III feature and the intrinsic polarisation are most likely associated with the reforming accretion disc/stream. We estimate the mass of the ejected (hydrogen) shell to be -4.6 x 10 6 Me, for a spherical shell geometry. The non-detection of U Sco in the 1280 MHz and 610 MHz radio bands is consistent with the low mass of the nova ejecta, subgiant nature of the secondary, and the distance to the nova.

We present a detailed study of McNeil's nebula (V1647 Ori) in its ongoing outburst phase starting from 2008 September to 2013 March. Our 124 nights of photometric observations were carried out in optical V, R, I, and near-infrared J, H, K bands, and 59 nights of medium-resolution spectroscopic observations were done in the 5200–9000 Å wavelength range. All observations were carried out with the 2 m Himalayan Chandra Telescope and 2 m IUCAA Girawali Telescope. Our observations show that over the past four and a half years, V1647 Ori and region C near the Herbig–Haro object HH 22A have been undergoing a slow dimming at a rate of ∼0.04 mag yr−1 and ∼0.05 mag yr−1, respectively, in R band, which is six times slower than the rate during a similar stage of V1647 Ori in the 2003 outburst. We detected change in flux distribution over the reflection nebula, implying changes in circumstellar matter distribution between the 2003 and 2008 outbursts. Apart from steady wind of velocity ∼350 km s−1, we detected two episodic magnetic reconnection driven winds. Forbidden [O i] λ6300 and [Fe ii] λ7155 lines were also detected, implying shock regions probably from jets. We tried to explain the outburst timescales of V1647 Ori using the standard models of the FUors kind of outburst and found that pure thermal instability models like Bell and Lin cannot explain the variations in timescales. In the framework of various instability models we conclude that one possible reason for the sudden ending of the 2003 outburst in 2005 November was a low-density region or gap in the inner region (∼1 AU) of the disk.

We study the time variability of five Fe Low ionization Broad Absorption Line (FeLoBAL) QSOs using repeated spectroscopic observations with the 2m telescope at IUCAA Girawali observatory (IGO) spanning an interval of upto 10 years. We report a dramatic variation in Al III and Fe III fine-structure lines in the spectra of SDSS J221511.93-004549.9 (z_em 1.478). However, there is no such strong variability shown by the C IV absorption. This source is known to be unusual with (i) the continuum emission dominated by Fe emission lines, (ii) Fe III absorption being stronger than Fe II and (iii) the apparent ratio of Fe III UV 48 to Fe III UV 34 absorption suggesting an inverted population ratio. This is the first reported detection of time variability in the Fe III fine-structure lines in QSO spectra. There is a strong reduction in the absorption strength of these lines between year 2000 and 2008. Using the template fitting techniques, we show that the apparent inversion of strength of UV lines could be related to the complex spectral energy distribution of this QSO. The observed variability can be related to change in the ionization state of the gas or due to transverse motion of this absorbing gas. The shortest variability timescale of Al III line gives a lower limit on the electron density of the absorbing gas as n_e >= 1.1 x 10^4 cm^-3. The remaining 4 FeLoBALs do not show any changes beyond the measurement uncertainties either in optical depth or in the velocity structure. We present the long-term photometric light curve for all of our sources. Among them only SDSS J221511.93-004549.9 shows significant (>= 0.2 mag) variability.

We present a detailed analysis of a highly ionized, multiphased and collimated outflowing gas detected through O V, O VI, Ne VIII and Mg X absorption associated with the QSO HE 0238 - 1904 (z_em ~ 0.629). Based on the similarities in the absorption line profiles and estimated covering fractions, we find that the O VI and Ne VIII absorption trace the same phase of the absorbing gas. Simple photoionization models can reproduce the observed N(Ne VIII), N(O VI) and N(Mg X) from a single phase whereas the low ionization species (e.g. N III, N IV, O IV) originate from a different phase. The measured N(Ne VIII)/N(O VI) ratio is found to be remarkably similar (within a factor of ~ 2) in several individual absorption components kinematically spread over ~ 1800 km/s. Under photoionization this requires a fine tuning between hydrogen density (nH) and the distance of the absorbing gas from the QSO. Alternatively this can also be explained by collisional ionization in hot gas with T > 10^{5.7} K. Long-term stability favors the absorbing gas being located outside the broad line region (BLR). We speculate that the collimated flow of such a hot gas could possibly be triggered by the radio jet interaction.

We report on the discovery and observations of the extremely luminous optical transient CSS100217:102913+404220 (CSS100217 hereafter). Spectroscopic observations show this transient was coincident with a galaxy at redshift z=0.147, and reached an apparent magnitude of V ~ 16.3. After correcting for foreground Galactic extinction we determine the absolute magnitude to be M_V =-22.7 approximately 45 days after maximum light. Based on our unfiltered optical photometry the peak optical emission was L = 1.3 x 10^45 erg s^-1, and over a period of 287 rest-frame days had an integrated bolometric luminosity of 1.2 x 10^52 erg. Analysis of the pre-outburst SDSS spectrum of the source shows features consistent with a Narrow-line Seyfert1 (NLS1) galaxy. High-resolution HST and Keck followup observations show the event occurred within 150pc of nucleus of the galaxy, suggesting a possible link to the active nuclear region. However, the rapid outburst along with photometric and spectroscopic evolution are much more consistent with a luminous supernova. Line diagnostics suggest that the host galaxy is undergoing significant star formation. We use extensive follow-up of the event along with archival CSS and SDSS data to investigate the three most likely sources of such an event; 1) an extremely luminous supernova; 2) the tidal disruption of a star by the massive nuclear black hole; 3) variability of the central AGN. We find that CSS100217 was likely an extremely luminous type IIn supernova that occurred within range of the narrow-line region of an AGN. We discuss how similar events may have been missed in past supernova surveys because of confusion with AGN activity.

We present results on the star-formation activity of an optically obscured region containing an embedded cluster (S255-IR) and molecular gas between two evolved HII regions S255 and S257. We have studied the complex using optical, near-infrared (NIR) imaging, optical spectroscopy and radio continnum mapping at 15 GHz, along with Spitzer-IRAC results. It is found that the main exciting sources of the evolved HII regions S255 and S257 and the compact HII regions associated with S255-IR are of O9.5 - B3 V nature, consistent with previous observations. Our NIR observations reveal 109 likely young stellar object (YSO) candidates in an area of ~ 4'.9 x 4'.9 centered on S255-IR, which include 69 new YSO candidates. Our observations increased the number of previously identified YSOs in this region by 32%. To see the global star formation, we constructed the V-I/V diagram for 51 optically identified IRAC YSOs in an area of ~ 13' x 13' centered on S255-IR. We suggest that these YSOs have an approximate age between 0.1 - 4 Myr, indicating a non-coeval star formation. Using spectral energy distribution models, we constrained physical properties and evolutionary status of 31 and 16 YSO candidates outside and inside the gas ridge, respectively. The models suggest that the sources associated within the gas ridge are of younger population (mean age ~ 1.2 Myr) than the sources outside the gas ridge (mean age ~ 2.5 Myr). The positions of the young sources inside the gas ridge at the interface of the HII regions S255 and S257, favor a site of induced star formation.