AstroBigné seminars season 2017-2018
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05/06/2018
Premiazione del Premio Magini: Andrea Zannoni (UniMI)
Revelation of exoplanetary atmospheres through high-resolution transmission spectroscopy
Our knowledge of exoplanetary atmospheres is growing exponentially in the last years, as we are passing from an era of exoplanet detection to one of exoplanet characterization. In my thesis, I examined the high-resolution transit data of the hot Jupiter HD 189733b, with the goal of detecting the sodium spectral signature in the exoplanetary atmosphere. Using the technique of transmission spectroscopy, I found excess absorption inside the core of the sodium doublet, but I also found evidence that most of this signal has stellar origin. Correcting for the stellar effects of rotation and center-to-limb variation, I retrieved the correct absorption due to exoplanetary sodium. Considering the increase of the instrumental precision and that the line-profile is used to derive the properties of the atmosphere, a careful disentangling of planetary and stellar contributions is an indispensable task for a correct exoplanetary atmospheric characterisation.
Chiara Mininni (UniFI)
Interstellar Phosphorus in High Mass Star Forming Clouds: Multi-line Observations of the PN Molecule
Phosphorus is one of the crucial elements for life. It plays a central role in the structure of essential biotic molecules, such as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), phospholipids (the skin of all cellular membranes) and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), from which all forms of life assume energy. Despite its importance, the chemistry of Phosphorus in the interstellar medium (ISM) is still poorly known. The molecule of PN is one of the two P-bearing molecules detected in star-forming regions (PN & PO), but it is still not clear under which conditions it is formed. In order to investigate the main chemical route that leads to the formation of PN and the main mechanism of desorption, we present multi-line observations of PN towards 18 massive dense cores in different evolutionary stages. We compared the results for the molecule of PN with other molecules, tracing different chemical and physical conditions: SiO, SO and CH3OH. From our results an important release mechanism of PN seems to be sputtering of dust grains in shocked regions, but this can not be the only mechanism since the line proPiles of some of the sources do not show high-velocity wings (associated with shocked material), but narrow line widths. This conPirms the previous results of Fontani et al. (2016), and reinforces the conclusion that the origin of PN is not to be considered unique, since it could form in both shocked and quiescent gas.
Marco Romoli (UniFI)
Visit to telescopes on La Palma
For the second year, the astrophysiscs students of the course of Complementi di astronomia visited El Roque de Los Muchachos telescopes in La Palma to experience how the ground-based telescopes work in one of the most important observing sites in the world. They also had the opportunity of spending an observing night at the TNG acquiring data on extragalactic targets, selected by them and later analyzed during the laboratory classes.
22/05/2018
Alessio Turchi (optical turbulence)
Filtering techniques improve the quality of forecasts of atmospheric parameters applied to the queue-scheduling of ground-based telescopes
We evaluate the impact of Kalman and neural network filtering techniques in enhancing performances and accuracy of atmospheric parameter forecasts applied to the ground-based astronomy. These techniques make use of measurements continuously produced in situ by various instruments in order to better tune the real-time forecast of different parameters which have an impact on the telescope operation.
Anna Gallazzi & Enrico Pinna (AstroTec)
The working group on astrophysics and technology at OAA
We will introduce the recently established working group that aims to bridge research in astrophysics and technology at the Arcetri Observatory in order to foster synergies between the two groups and to improve the scientific exploitation of technological resources.
Carlo Baffa & Stefano Zibetti (AstroCalc)
The working group on astrophysics and information technology at OAA
Forthcoming large data samples and high performance computing (HPC) needs call for the formation of a working group, named AstroCalc, which gathers astronomers and IT experts and aims at collecting expertise and needs, promote the diffusion of knowledge, identify strengths and weaknesses and suggest possible mitigation strategies.
17/04/2018
Anna Gallazzi (extragalactic)
Deep spectroscopy of z~1 galaxies with LEGA-C
The Large Early Galaxy Census (LEGA-C) survey is a public spectroscopic survey conducted with VIMOS/VLT that provides deep rest-frame optical spectra for ~3000 massive galaxies at redshift 0.6.
Claudio Codella (star formation)
The GENESIS-SKA project
The recipe to make an habitable planet like our own Earth requires a relatively small rocky planet, at the right distance from the host star, with a not too thick atmosphere rich in volatiles and capable of developing complex organic molecules chemistry. The SKA telescope, and more specifically the GENESIS-SKA project, will allow us to study in detail the evolution of dust as it evolves into planetesimals and rocky planets and to detect heavy complex organic molecules that today are beyond the reach of our observing capabilities.
Alessio Turchi (computing)
Parallel computing - A brief survey of the topic
This is a very short introduction to parallel computing tecnhiques. The aim is to present the audience with the main topics concerning parallel numerical methods, in the conxtext of the work done by Astrocalc group. Specific tecnical seminars may be planned in the future if there will be some consistent interest in one or more of these topics. I promise that this AstroBigné will be absolutely outreach level. No lines of code!
20/032018
Francesca Brunetti (library)
Vedi alla voce "Franco Pacini"
La biblioteca dell'Osservatorio ha recentemente terminato il lavoro di ricerca e di raccolta di tutte le pubblicazioni di Franco Pacini. Presenterò il corpus dell'opera di Pacini disponibile alla consultazione sul portale dei beni culturali dell'INAF "Polvere di Stelle" in occasione dei 50 anni dalla pubblicazione su Nature dell'articolo "Energy Emission from a Neutron Star".
Marco Xompero (administration)
Nuove linee guida per le assunzioni del personale a tempo determinato
Alcune considerazioni e un tentativo di analisi come spunti di riflessione sugli effetti delle nuove politiche assunzionali del personale a tempo determinato, strutturato e non, del nostro ente.
Rino Bandiera (high energy)
Interplay between physics and geometry in Balmer-line diagnostics of Supernova Remnants
I will show how geometrical effects must be taken into account, in order to make the most of Balmer-line observations as a diagnostic tool of SNR shocks moving in a partially neutral medium.
06/03/2018
Leslie Hunt (extragalactic)
Empowering SKA as a probe of galaxy evolution in HI
I will outline the broader science context of our recently accepted PRIN-SKA proposal, "Empowering SKA as a probe of galaxy evolution with HI (ESKAPE-HI)". There are two main objectives to be accomplished over the two-year duration of the project: the first is to establish baryonic scaling relations for a "local benchmark" based on stellar content, star-formation rate, dust mass, HI, and CO in nearby galaxies. The second is to set the stage for analogous higher-redshift studies by compiling vast multi-wavelength data sets for galaxy populations in the regions likely to be targeted by future SKA surveys. Also touched upon will be the feasibility of our science goals, and how they relate to the SKA precursors and other available HI observational facilities.
Elena Pancino (stellar evolution)
Multiple stellar populations in globular clusters
I will describe the open problem of multiple populations in globular clusters, how it is currently explained and why the current scenarios do not fully explain the observed properties.
20/02/2018
Eleonora Bianchi (UniFI PhD Thesis)
Tracing our chemical origins: deuteration and complex organic molecules in Sun-like protostars
Observations of interstellar complex organic molecules and deuterated species are used to disentangle all the processes at work in the inner 100 AU of a forming Sun-like star and its planetary system. The present measurements contribute to fill in the gap between prestellar cores and protoplanetary disks, showing how the gas chemical content is modified during the early evolutionary stages of a Sun-like star forming region.
Greta Guidi (UniFI PhD Thesis)
From dust to planets: high resolution observations of small-scale structures in evolving protoplanetary disks
In circumstellar disks around young stars the study of the growth and evolution of dust grains is crucial for determining the initial conditions leading to the formation of planets. The development of new observing facilities like ALMA started to unveil a variety of small scale structures in several protoplanetary disks. This indicates that local processes are playing a significant role in the evolution of disks, and that planet formation may be happening at very early stages.
06/02/2018
Mirko Curti (UniFI PhD Thesis)
Assessing the chemical evolution of galaxies with large spectral surveys and spatially resolved observations
The study of the chemical evolution of star forming galaxies was done combining the analysis of large samples of local objects from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with near-infrared, spatially resolved spectroscopy of high-redshift sources obtained from new generation instruments like KMOS on the VLT and LUCI/ARGOS on the LBT. A new approach for gas-phase metallicity determination was based on the analysis of the emission lines in galaxy spectra.
Claudia Toci (UniFI PhD Thesis)
Molecular clouds: magnetohydrodynamics, gravitational collapse and turbulence
Molecular clouds, the coldest and densest part of the Interstellar Medium and the places where stars form, are made by networks of intertwined filaments. The properties of filamentary molecular clouds and cores require a non thermal contribution, given by turbulence or magnetic fields. I will then focus on the properties of perturbations and turbulence during magnetised or non-magnetised collapses.
23/01/2018
Luca Bravi (GAIA-ESO)
Unveiling the kinematical and dynamical properties of young open clusters with the Gaia-ESO Survey
The investigation of the dynamical properties of young star clusters play a key role in the study of cluster formation and evolution. High resolution spectroscopic data obtained for a large number of stars in several clusters by the Gaia-ESO Survey allow us to study in details their kinematical properties and probe their dynamical status. Here, I will present the new results obtained for a few clusters observed by GES and discuss about the implications for their dynamical evolution.
Paolo Tozzi (outreach)
Le nostre Notti sono meglio dei vostri giorni
Open call per la stagione 2018 delle Notti d'Estate ad Arcetri.
Carlo Baffa (big data)
Giga Tera Peta Data: Are we ready??
This talk aims to start the discussion about how to cope with the incoming deluge of very large data sets and the unexpected problems it poses.
12/12/2017
Special Seminar: Stefano Sandrelli (INAF-Brera)
Come funzionano la Didattica e la Divulgazione INAF
Come funzionano la Didattica e la Divulgazione INAF? E chi lo sa? E cosa sono? direte voi! Ecco: appunto perché lo sappiate - e anche per rifletterci meglio insieme - come responsabile delle suddette vi propongo di parlarne insieme.
17/10/2017
Emanuele Pace (UniFI)
The Osservatorio Polifunzionale del Chianti: activity and perspectives
Born by the will of two Chianti Administrations, the "Osservatorio Polifunzionale del Chianti" has rapidly evolved into a structure of the University of Florence carrying out research and outreach activities. This brief seminar will mainly illustrate these activities and the research perspectives with the installation of the new instrumentation planned by the end of 2018.
Luca Olmi (instrumentation)
Workshop on Toraldo Pupils: Summary Report and Project Status
A workshop on Toraldo Pupils, a super-resolving system for radio astronomy, was held in Arcetri, Villa il Gioiello, on October 12. I will provide a short summary of the workshop and report on the status of project "PuTo".
03/10/2017
Edvige Corbelli & Filippo Mannucci (teaching)
Il Liceo Astronomico di Bagno a Ripoli
Quest'anno parte all'Istituto Gobetti-Volta una sezione del Liceo scientifico con Potenziamento in Astronomia. L'Astronomia diventa materia curriculare con due ore la settimana su 5 anni. Le discipline coinvolte sono diverse, dalle Lettere alla Fisica, dalle Scienze alla Filosofia. Arcetri e UniFi collaborano con l'Istituto per sostenere la cultura astronomica e stimolare la cresciata scientifica dei ragazzi coinvolti nel progetto.
Davide Fedele (star formation)
ALMA continuum observations of the young protoplanetary system AS 209
I will present new high resolution (~0.15 arcsec) ALMA continuum observations of AS 209, a young (age ~ 0.5 Myr) proto-Sun (M ~ 0.9 Msun) surrounded by a gas- and dust-rich disk. Our ALMA observations reveals the presence of multiple dust gaps. The observations are compared to hydrodynamical simulations of planet-disk interaction. I will discuss the results in the context of disk evolution and planet formation theory.
19/09/2017
Simone Bianchi (MA1)
Report on the meeting of Macroarea 1 in Padova on 13 September 2017
We give a brief account of major results from the meeting of Macroarea 1 held in Padova on the afternoon of 13 September 2017.
Francesca Bacciotti (MA2)
Report on the meeting of Macroarea 2 in Padova on 13 September 2017
We give a brief account of major results from the meeting of Macroarea 2 held in Padova on the afternoon of 13 September 2017.
Elena Masciadri (MA5)
Report on the meeting of Macroarea 5 in Padova on 13 September 2017
We give a brief account of major results from the meeting of Macroarea 5 held in Padova on the afternoon of 13 September 2017.
