Research activities at CAMK Toruń
Stellar mergers (T. Kamiński)
Mergers of non-compact stars (main-sequence
stars, red giants and AGB stars) and white dwarfs and their products (R CrB
stars, FK Com, J-type carbon stars, etc). What is the physics of the
stellar collisions and the common-envelope phase?
Red novae, red transients, and their remnants (T. Kamiński)
Red novae and similar transients are optical and infrared manifestations of
stellar mergers happening in real time. Red novae include the following
Galactic objects: V838 Mon, V4332 Sgr, OGLE-2002-BLG-360, V1309 Sco, and CK
Vul.
Evolved stars (T. Kamiński, M.Schmidt)
All aspects of advanced stellar evolution, in particular of red supergiants,
giants (RGB and AGB) and pre-planetary nebulae. Our pet objects are VY
Canis Majoris, Mira (omicron Ceti), Betelgeuse, and Rotten Egg Nebula.
Dust formation and circumstellar matter (T. Kamiński, M.Schmidt)
How evolved stars lose their mass? Why are the circumstellar envelopes so
inhomogenous (clumpy) ? How dust is formed in the wind and in the hot
atmospheres of these stars? What are the first solids formed by stars?
What are the seed particles initiating nucleation at high temperatures?
Submillimeter-wave interferometry (T. Kamiński)
Imaging techniques at very high angular and spectral resolutions of cool
dusty objects.
Molecules in space and astronomical spectroscopy (T. Kamiński, M.Schmidt)
Astro-chemistry, including chemistry of circumstellar shocks and formation
of complex organic species on dust grains. Observing spectral signatures of
low-abundance species (TiO, TiO2, CrO) important for dust formation and
detecting rare isotopologues (26AlF).
Stellar model atmospheres ( M.Schmidt)
High precision model atmospheres of dwarf and giant stars of different
chemical composition. High-precision spectroscopy.
Radiative pulsar astrophysics (J. Dyks)
Pulse profiles, polarization, pulse modulation. Pulsar radiation is highly
anisotropic and time dependent with even the most basic phenomena not
understood. In the radio band these include beam morphology, origin of
observed polarization (e.g. transitions between orthogonal polarization
modes, circular polarization, fractional polarization), numerous modulation
phenomena (subpulse drift, nulling, pulsation modes, special pulsation
patterns) as well as some peculiar features such as symmetrical bifurcated
components or double notches in extended stretches of radio emission. The
research is aimed at understanding the phenomena in terms of geometry and
relativistic radiative physics within the pulsar magnetosphere.
Binary and multiple stellar systems (K. Hełminiak)
- parameters of stars in detached eclipsing binaries
- testing stellar evolution models
- pulsating stars in eclipsing binaries
- formation and dynamics of stellar triple and multiple systems
Extrasolar planets and brown dwarfs (K. Hełminiak)
- detection with radial velocities, timing, and direct imaging techniques
- physical parameters of transiting planets
- characterization of planet hosting stars
Araucaria Project - eclipsing binary stars (D. Graczyk)
Analysis of early-type eclipsing binary stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud
in order to precisely characterize their physical properties. The
components are late O-type or early B-type spectral types. These stars
provide calibrators for the surface brightness - color relations (SBCR) of
massive, bright stars. The resulting SBCRs are expected to be useful in
determining direct, geometrical distances to important anchors of the
extragalactic distance scale: M31 (the Andromeda galaxy) and M33 (the
Triangulum galaxy).
- Investigation of the dependency of the SBCR on the metallicity and the surface gravity at the sub-percent precision level.
- Analysis of several dozen of nearby galactic eclipsing binary stars containing components of A,F,G and K spectral types to derive their very precise stellar parameters (radii, masses, temperatures, metallicities).
- Data collection and work on homogenous database containing parameters of almost 150 eclipsing binaries selected from the literature and our research.
- Improvement of the distance determination to the Large Magellanic Cloud using eclipsing binary stars containing late-type giant stars. The goal is to achieve sub-percent precision by upgrading the SBCR for late-type stars, enlarging the sample of eclipsing binary stars used and refining reddening maps in the LMC.
- Direct distance determination to M31 and M33 galaxies using massive, blue eclipsing binaries. Analysis of eclipsing binary stars in both galaxies, collecting high-quality data for them and searching for additional promising candidates.
- Testing the zero-point of upcoming Gaia parallaxes from Data Release 4 by utilizing distant galactic eclipsing binary stars.
International observational projects, which involve CAMK Toruń researchers
PLAnetary Transits and Oscilations
(PLATO)
Satellite mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). PLATO will detect
terrestrial exoplanets at orbits up to the habitable zone of solar-type
stars . PLATO will provide key information (planetary radii, mean
densities, ages, stellar irradiation, and architecture of planetary systems)
needed to determine the habitability of these unexpectedly diverse new
worlds. PLATO capitalizes on tremendous developments in high-precision
photometry from space and ultra-stable ground-based spectroscopy techniques
that have largely been led by Europe over the last 20 years. CAMK Toruń
researchers are part of the Benchmark Stars and Complementary Science
working groups, as well as the Ground Based Follow-up Program.
Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey
(ARIEL)
Satellite mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). Ariel will inspect
the atmospheres of a thousand planets in our Galaxy orbiting stars other
than the Sun. Ariel will reveal the ingredients of their atmospheres and
the presence of clouds, and monitor how weather conditions change over time.
From rocky to gas-giant exoplanets, Ariel will deepen our understanding of
these distant worlds. CAMK Toruń researchers are part of the Stellar
Characterisation working group, which is a part of the scientific
preparation for the mission itself.
SST-1M
(SST-1M)
Originally developed as a prototype of the Small-Sized Telescope
for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (gamma-rays
with energies above 3 TeV), the SST-1M design is based on the Davies-Cotton
concept with a 4-m multi-segment mirror dish composed of 18 hexagonal
facets, and an innovative camera featuring a fully digital readout and
trigger system. The camera pixels are based on the SiPM technology,
allowing for operation even under a high Night Sky Background, which
increases the telescope duty cycle significantly. A pair of the SST-1M
telescopes was constructed at IFJ, Kraków and in 2021 and 2022 re-installed
at Ondrejov Observatory, Czech Republic, where prototypes are now
commissioned. The telescopes’ capabilities for mono and stereo observations
are being tested until the final location of the SST-1Ms is decided.
CAMK Toruń responsibilities include management of on-site computer network
at Ondrejov Observatory and development of data processing software.