Quasinormal modes of black holes: From astrophysics to string theory
R. Konoplya, A. Zhidenko
Perturbations of black holes, initially considered in the context of possible observations of astrophysical effects, have been studied for the past ten years in string theory, brane-world models and quantum gravity. Through the famous gauge/gravity duality, proper oscillations of perturbed black holes, called quasinormal modes (QNMs), allow for the description of the hydrodynamic regime in the dual finite temperature field theory at strong coupling, which can be used to predict the behavior of quark-gluon plasmas in the nonperturbative regime. On the other hand, the brane-world scenarios assume the existence of extra dimensions in nature, so that multidimensional black holes can be formed in a laboratory experiment. All this stimulated active research in the field of perturbations of higher-dimensional black holes and branes during recent years. In this review recent achievements on various aspects of black hole perturbations are discussed such as decoupling of variables in the perturbation equations, quasinormal modes (with special emphasis on various numerical and analytical methods of calculations), late-time tails, gravitational stability, AdS/CFT interpretation of quasinormal modes, and holographic superconductors. We also touch on state-of-the-art observational possibilities for detecting quasinormal modes of black holes.
Proceedings, Advancing Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array (AASKA14)
Tyler Bourke, R. Braun, R. Fender
et al.
The Maximum Offsets of Binary Neutron Star Mergers from Host Galaxies
Ilya Mandel, Om Sharan Salafia, Andrew Levan
et al.
We analytically derive, and illustrate with a population synthesis model, the maximum offset of binary neutron star mergers ejected from their host galaxies. This approximate maximum offset is 300 kpc $\times \,{({v}_{{\rm{esc}}}/500\,{\rm{km}}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1})}^{-7}$ , where v _esc is the escape velocity from the host galaxy. Massive hosts with high escape velocities are unlikely to yield very large offsets. This maximum offset should inform the host associations of mergers that are not coincident with galaxies. We also discuss potential correlations between offsets and system masses, and possibly the duration of the gamma-ray burst accompanying the merger.
Entropy-Based Portfolio Optimization in Cryptocurrency Markets: A Unified Maximum Entropy Framework
Silvia Dedu, Florentin Șerban
Traditional mean–variance portfolio optimization proves inadequate for cryptocurrency markets, where extreme volatility, fat-tailed return distributions, and unstable correlation structures undermine the validity of variance as a comprehensive risk measure. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a unified entropy-based portfolio optimization framework grounded in the Maximum Entropy Principle (MaxEnt). Within this setting, Shannon entropy, Tsallis entropy, and Weighted Shannon Entropy (WSE) are formally derived as particular specifications of a common constrained optimization problem solved via the method of Lagrange multipliers, ensuring analytical coherence and mathematical transparency. Moreover, the proposed MaxEnt formulation provides an information-theoretic interpretation of portfolio diversification as an inference problem under uncertainty, where optimal allocations correspond to the least informative distributions consistent with prescribed moment constraints. In this perspective, entropy acts as a structural regularizer that governs the geometry of diversification rather than as a direct proxy for risk. This interpretation strengthens the conceptual link between entropy, uncertainty quantification, and decision-making in complex financial systems, offering a robust and distribution-free alternative to classical variance-based portfolio optimization. The proposed framework is empirically illustrated using a portfolio composed of major cryptocurrencies—Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Binance Coin (BNB)—based on weekly return data. The results reveal systematic differences in the diversification behavior induced by each entropy measure: Shannon entropy favors near-uniform allocations, Tsallis entropy imposes stronger penalties on concentration and enhances robustness to tail risk, while WSE enables the incorporation of asset-specific informational weights reflecting heterogeneous market characteristics. From a theoretical perspective, the paper contributes a coherent MaxEnt formulation that unifies several entropy measures within a single information-theoretic optimization framework, clarifying the role of entropy as a structural regularizer of diversification. From an applied standpoint, the results indicate that entropy-based criteria yield stable and interpretable allocations across turbulent market regimes, offering a flexible alternative to classical risk-based portfolio construction. The framework naturally extends to dynamic multi-period settings and alternative entropy formulations, providing a foundation for future research on robust portfolio optimization under uncertainty.
Large eddy simulations in astrophysics
Wolfram Schmidt-Brückner
In this review, the methodology of large eddy simulations (LES) is introduced and applications in astrophysics are discussed. As theoretical framework, the scale decomposition of the dynamical equations for compressible neutral fluids by means of spatial filtering is explained. For cosmological applications, the filtered equations in co-moving coordinates are formulated. Moreover, the decomposition is extended to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). While energy is dissipated through numerical diffusivities in implicit large eddy simulations (ILES), explicit subgrid-scale (SGS) models are applied in LES to compute energy dissipation, mixing, and dynamo action due to numerically unresolved turbulent eddies. The most commonly used models in astrophysics are the Smagorinsky model, the hydrodynamical SGS turbulence energy equation model, and the non-linear structural model for both non-relativistic and relativistic MHD. Model validation is carried out a priori by testing correlations between model and data for specific terms or a posteriori by comparing turbulence statistics in LES and ILES. Since most solvers in astrophysical simulation codes have significant numerical diffusion, the additional effect of SGS models is generally small. However, convergence with resolution increases in some cases. A recent example is magnetic field amplification in binary neutron star mergers. For mesh-free codes, it has been shown that explicit modelling of turbulent diffusion of metals has a significant impact. Moreover, SGS models can help to compute the turbulent velocity dispersion consistently and to parameterize sub-resolution processes that are influenced by turbulence, such as the star formation efficiency in galaxy simulations.
On the Temporal Variability of the Galactic Multi-TeV Interstellar Emissions
P. D. Marinos, T. A. Porter, G. P. Rowell
et al.
We use the GALPROP cosmic ray (CR) framework to model the Galactic CR distributions and associated nonthermal diffuse emissions up to PeV energies. We consider ensembles of discrete, finite lifetime CR sources, e.g., supernova remnants, for a range of creation rates and lifetimes. We find that the global properties of the CR sources are likely not directly recoverable from the current “snapshot” of the historic injection and propagation of CRs within the Galaxy that are provided by the data. We show that models for the diffuse γ rays based on the discrete/time-dependent scenarios we consider are able to explain the LHAASO very-/ultra-high-energy (VHE/UHE) γ -ray data with up to 50% contribution by unresolved leptonic sources at the highest energies. Over the models that we consider, variations in the diffuse VHE emissions can be ∼25%, which is comparable to those for the steady-state models that we investigated in an earlier work. Such variations due to the discrete/finite nature of the CR sources are an important factor that are necessary to construct accurate physical models of the diffuse emissions from the Galaxy at VHE/UHEs.
How to Be a Copenhagenistic-QBistic Everettist
Marcin Wieśniak
The measurement problem in quantum mechanics (QM) is related to the inability to include learning about the properties of a quantum system by an agent in the formalism of quantum theory. It includes questions about the physical processes behind the measurement, uniqueness, and randomness of obtained outcomes and an ontic or epistemic role of the state. These issues have triggered various interpretations of quantum theory. They vary from refusing any connection between physical reality and a measurement process to insisting that a collapse of the wave-function is real and possibly involves consciousness. On the other hand, the actual mechanism of a measurement is not extensively discussed in these interpretations. This essay attempts to investigate the quantum measurement problem from the position of the scientific consensus. We begin with a short overview of the development of sensing in living organisms. This is performed for the purpose of stressing the relation between reality and our experience. We then briefly present different approaches to the measurement problem in chosen interpretations. We then state three philosophical assumptions for further consideration and present a decomposition of the measurement act into four stages: transformation, conversion, amplification and broadcasting, and, finally, perception. Each of these stages provides an intuition about the physical processes contributing to it. These conclusions are then used in a discussion about, e.g., objectivity, the implausibility of reversing a measurement, or the epistemic status of the wave-function. Finally, we argue that those in favor of some of the most popular interpretations can find an overlap between their beliefs and the consequences of considerations presented here.
An Investigation of Disk Thickness in M51 from Hα, Paα, and Mid-infrared Power Spectra
Bruce G. Elmegreen, Daniela Calzetti, Angela Adamo
et al.
Power spectra (PS) of high-resolution images of M51 (NGC 5194) taken with the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have been examined for evidence of disk thickness in the form of a change in slope between large scales, which map two-dimensional correlated structures, and small scales, which map three-dimensional correlated structures. Such a slope change is observed here in H α , and possibly Pa α , using average PS of azimuthal intensity scans that avoid bright peaks. The physical scale of the slope change occurs at ∼120 pc and ∼170 pc for these two transitions, respectively. A radial dependence in the shape of the H α PS also suggests that the length scale drops from ∼180 pc at 5 kpc, to ∼90 pc at 2 kpc, to ∼25 pc in the central ∼kpc. We interpret these lengths as comparable to the thicknesses of the star-forming disk traced by H ii regions. The corresponding emission measure is ∼100 times larger than what is expected from the diffuse ionized gas. The PS of JWST Mid-IR Instrument images in eight passbands have more gradual changes in slope, making it difficult to determine a specific value of the thickness for this emission.
For All Humankind: Peaceful, Ethical, Cooperative, and Curiosity‐Driven Space Science and Space Weather Research
Noé Lugaz
Abstract Are we moving into a new reality where the next human stepping onto a different world will utter “That's one small step for me, a giant leap for my country”? Is further tightening Heliophysics and space weather research to military endeavors the solution to the decrease in federal funding for Heliophysics in the US and the worldwide increase in military budget? I invite researchers to take the time to contemplate those issues and to continue pushing for an ethical, peaceful, cooperative, and curiosity‐driven space science and space weather research.
Meteorology. Climatology, Astrophysics
Intergalactic Wandering Stars in the Local Universe: Theoretical Predictions for Their Distance and Luminosity Distribution
Jia-Hui Wang, Maosheng Xiang, Ji-Feng Liu
Intergalactic wandering stars (IWSs) within 10 Mpc remain a poorly explored area of astronomy. Such stars, if they exist, are supposed to be wandering objects as they are not bound by the gravitational potential of any galaxy. We set out to conduct dedicated studies to unravel such a wandering stellar population. As the first paper of the series, in the present work, we model the distance distribution and luminosity function of IWSs formed via the Hills mechanism of the Galactic central massive black hole (GCMBH). We implement a numerical simulation to generate IWSs, taking the ejection history of the GCMBH and the stellar evolution process into consideration, and present their luminosity function in the distance range of 200 kpc–10 Mpc. Our results suggest that a few hundred thousand IWSs have been generated by the GCMBH via the Hills mechanism in the past 14 billion yr. These IWSs have an apparent magnitude peaking at 30–35 mag in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey r band, which are hard to detect. However, a few thousand of them at the bright end are detectable by upcoming wide-field deep surveys, such as the China Space Station Telescope and the Vera Rubin Observatory. The forthcoming discovery of such a wandering stellar population will open the door for a precise understanding of the matter constitution of the nearby intergalactic space and the dynamical history of galaxies in the local Universe.
Momentum-space Langevin dynamics of holographic Wilsonian RG flow: self-interacting massive scalar field with marginal deformation
Ji-seong Chae, Jae-Hyuk Oh
Abstract We explore the mathematical relationship between the holographic Wilsonian renormalization group (HWRG) and stochastic quantization(SQ) motivated by the similarity of the monotonicity in RG flow with Langevin dynamics of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. We look at scalar field theory in AdS space with its generic mass, self-interaction, and marginal boundary deformation in the momentum space. Identifying the stochastic time t with radial coordinate r in AdS, we establish maps between the fictitious time evolution of stochastic multi-point correlation function and the radial evolution of multi-trace deformation, which respectively, express the relaxation process of Langevin dynamics and holographic RG flow. We show that the multi-trace deformations in the HWRG are successfully captured by the Langevin dynamics of SQ.
Astrophysics, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity
SN 2023ixf in M101: Physical Parameters from Bolometric Light Curve Modeling
József Vinkó, Zsófia Réka Bodola, Ákos Gődény
et al.
We present new photometric observations of the core-collapse supernova SN 2023ixf occurred in M101, taken with the RC 80 and BRC80 robotic telescopes in Hungary. The initial nickel mass from the late-phase bolometric light curve extending up to 400 days after explosion, is inferred as M _Ni = 0.046 ± 0.007 M _⊙ . The comparison of the bolometric light curve with models from hydrodynamical simulations as well as semi-analytic radiative diffusion codes reveals a relatively low-mass ejecta of M _ej ≲ 9 M _⊙ , contrary to SN 2017eaw, another H-rich core-collapse event, which had M _ej ≳ 15 M _⊙ .
Accurate sticking coefficient calculation for carbonaceous dust growth through accretion and desorption in astrophysical environments
Duncan Bossion, Arkaprabha Sarangi, Susanne Aalto
et al.
Context. Cosmic dust is ubiquitous in astrophysical environments, where it significantly influences the chemistry and the spectra. Dust grains are likely to grow through the accretion of atoms and molecules from the gas-phase onto them. Despite their importance, only a few studies compute sticking coefficients for relevant temperatures and species, and their direct impact on grain growth. Overall, the formation of dust and its growth are processes not well understood. Aims. To calculate sticking coefficients, binding energies, and grain growth rates over a wide range of temperatures, for various gas species interacting with carbonaceous dust grains. Methods. We perform molecular dynamics simulations with a reactive force field algorithm to compute accurate sticking coefficients and obtain binding energies. The results are included in an astrophysical model of nucleation regions to study dust growth. Results. We present, for the first time, sticking coefficients of H, H2, C, O, and CO on amorphous carbon structures for temperatures ranging from 50 K to 2250 K. In addition, we estimate the binding energies of H, C, and O in carbonaceous dust to calculate the thermal desorption rates. Combining accretion and desorption allows us to determine an effective accretion rate and sublimation temperature for carbonaceous dust. Conclusions. We find that sticking coefficients can differ substantially from what is commonly used in astrophysical models and this gives new insight on carbonaceous dust grain growth via accretion in dust-forming regions.
Anti-de Sitter → de Sitter transition driven by Casimir forces and mitigating tensions in cosmological parameters
Luis A. Anchordoqui, Ignatios Antoniadis, Dieter Lüst
Over the last few years, low- and high-redshift observations set off tensions in the measurement of the present-day expansion rate H0 and in the determination of the amplitude of the matter clustering in the late Universe (parameterized by S8). It was recently noted that both these tensions can be resolved if the cosmological constant parametrizing the dark energy content switches its sign at a critical redshift zc∼2. However, the anti-de Sitter (AdS) swampland conjecture suggests that the postulated switch in sign of the cosmological constant at zero temperature seems unlikely because the AdS vacua are an infinite distance apart from de Sitter (dS) vacua in moduli space. We provide an explanation for the required AdS → dS crossover transition in the vacuum energy using the Casimir forces of fields inhabiting the bulk. We then use entropy arguments to claim that any AdS → dS transition between metastable vacua must be accompanied by a reduction of the species scale where gravity becomes strong. We provide a few examples supporting this AdS → dS uplift conjecture.
Mimetic Gravity: A Review of Recent Developments and Applications to Cosmology and Astrophysics
L. Sebastiani, S. Vagnozzi, R. Myrzakulov
Mimetic gravity is a Weyl-symmetric extension of General Relativity, related to the latter by a singular disformal transformation, wherein the appearance of a dust-like perfect fluid can mimic cold dark matter at a cosmological level. Within this framework, it is possible to provide a unified geometrical explanation for dark matter, the late-time acceleration, and inflation, making it a very attractive theory. In this review, we summarize the main aspects of mimetic gravity, as well as extensions of the minimal formulation of the model. We devote particular focus to the reconstruction technique, which allows the realization of any desired expansionary history of the universe by an accurate choice of potential or other functions defined within the theory (as in the case of mimetic gravity). We briefly discuss cosmological perturbation theory within mimetic gravity. As a case study within which we apply the concepts previously discussed, we study a mimetic Hořava-like theory, of which we explore solutions and cosmological perturbations in detail. Finally, we conclude the review by discussing static spherically symmetric solutions within mimetic gravity and apply our findings to the problem of galactic rotation curves. Our review provides an introduction to mimetic gravity, as well as a concise but self-contained summary of recent findings, progress, open questions, and outlooks on future research directions.
Statistical Characteristics of Nighttime Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances From 10‐Years of Airglow Observation by the Machine Learning Method
Chang Lai, Jiyao Xu, Zhishuang Lin
et al.
Abstract For the first time, we used the machine learning method to analyze the statistical occurrence and propagation characteristics of nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) from October 2011 to December 2021 observed by the all‐sky airglow imager deployed at Xinglong (40.4°N, 117.6°E, 30.5° MLAT), China. We developed a program code using the algorithms to identify and extract the propagation and morphological features of MSTIDs in 630 nm airglow images automatically. The classification model and detection model have accuracies of 96.9% and 70%–85%, respectively. We identified 611 MSTID events from 749,888 airglow images, and obtained the following statistical results: (a) the MSTIDs occurrence peaked at 2200–2300 local time in summer and 2300–2400 in winter; (b) the annual average of horizontal wavelength and velocity are 160–311 km and 98–133 m/s, respectively; (c) among 611 events, 589 MSTIDs propagated southwestward. Fifteen events are northeastward and all of them are periodic MSTIDs, most of which occurred between April and August; (d) the annual trend of relative intensity perturbation (%) shows a negative correlation with the horizontal phase speed; (e) horizontal wavelengths of MSTIDs are independent of the solar activity. Further analyses found those southwestward propagating MSTIDs are consistent with the Es‐Perkins coupling theory, while those non‐southwestward ones could be related to the atmospheric gravity waves and other possible sources. The northeastward events exhibit morphological and seasonal characteristics, which cannot be explained by the Perkins instability, more simultaneous observations (GPS‐TEC, OH airglow, etc.) are required to reveal the mechanism behind these characteristics.
Meteorology. Climatology, Astrophysics
The KLT relation from the tree formula and permutohedron
Qu Cao, Liang Zhang
Abstract In this paper, we generalize the Nguyen–Spradlin–Volovich–Wen (NSVW) tree formula from the MHV sector to any helicity sector. We find a close connection between the Permutohedron and the KLT relation, and construct a non-trivial mapping between them, linking the amplitudes in the gauge and gravity theories. The gravity amplitude can also be mapped from a determinant followed from the matrix-tree theorem. Besides, we use the binary tree graphs to manifest its Lie structure. In our tree formula, there is an evident Hopf algebra of the permutation group behind the gravity amplitudes. Using the tree formula, we can directly re-derive the soft/collinear limit of the amplitudes.
Astrophysics, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity
Deep Neural Networks to Enable Real-time Multimessenger Astrophysics
D. George, E. Huerta
Gravitational wave astronomy has set in motion a scientific revolution. To further enhance the science reach of this emergent field, there is a pressing need to increase the depth and speed of the gravitational wave algorithms that have enabled these groundbreaking discoveries. To contribute to this effort, we introduce Deep Filtering, a new highly scalable method for end-to-end time-series signal processing, based on a system of two deep convolutional neural networks, which we designed for classification and regression to rapidly detect and estimate parameters of signals in highly noisy time-series data streams. We demonstrate a novel training scheme with gradually increasing noise levels, and a transfer learning procedure between the two networks. We showcase the application of this method for the detection and parameter estimation of gravitational waves from binary black hole mergers. Our results indicate that Deep Filtering significantly outperforms conventional machine learning techniques, achieves similar performance compared to matched-filtering while being several orders of magnitude faster thus allowing real-time processing of raw big data with minimal resources. More importantly, Deep Filtering extends the range of gravitational wave signals that can be detected with ground-based gravitational wave detectors. This framework leverages recent advances in artificial intelligence algorithms and emerging hardware architectures, such as deep-learning-optimized GPUs, to facilitate real-time searches of gravitational wave sources and their electromagnetic and astro-particle counterparts.
215 sitasi
en
Physics, Computer Science
GRACKLE: a chemistry and cooling library for astrophysics
Britton D. Smith, G. Bryan, S. Glover
et al.
We present the grackle chemistry and cooling library for astrophysical simulations and models. grackle provides a treatment of non-equilibrium primordial chemistry and cooling for H, D and He species, including H2 formation on dust grains; tabulated primordial and metal cooling; multiple ultraviolet background models; and support for radiation transfer and arbitrary heat sources. The library has an easily implementable interface for simulation codes written in c, c++ and fortran as well as a python interface with added convenience functions for semi-analytical models. As an open-source project, grackle provides a community resource for accessing and disseminating astrochemical data and numerical methods. We present the full details of the core functionality, the simulation and python interfaces, testing infrastructure, performance and range of applicability. grackle is a fully open-source project and new contributions are welcome.
The HaloSat and PolarLight CubeSat Missions for X-ray Astrophysics
Hua Feng, Philip Kaaret
Astronomical observations in the X-ray band are subject to atmospheric attenuation and have to be performed in the space. CubeSats offer a cost effective means for space-based X-ray astrophysics but allow only limited mass and volume. In this article, we describe two successful CubeSat-based missions, HaloSat and PolarLight, both sensitive in the keV energy range. HaloSat was a 6U CubeSat equipped with silicon drift detectors. It conducted an all-sky survey of oxygen line emission and revealed the clumpy nature of the circumgalactic medium surrounding the Milky Way. PolarLight is a dedicated X-ray polarimeter performing photoelectron tracking using a gas pixel detector in a 1U payload. It observed the brightest X-ray objects and helped constrain their magnetic field or accretion geometry. On-orbit operation of both missions for multiple years demonstrates the capability of CubeSats as an effective astronomical platforms. The rapid time scales for development and construction of the missions makes them particularly attractive for student training.
en
astro-ph.IM, astro-ph.GA