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Creators/Authors contains: "Sebastian, B"

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  1. Abstract We present first results from James Webb Space Telescope Near-Infrared Spectrograph, Mid-Infrared Instrument, and Keck Cosmic Webb Imager integral field spectroscopy of the powerful but highly obscured host galaxy of the jetted radio source Cygnus A. We detect 169 infrared emission lines at 1.7–27μm and explore the kinematics and physical properties of the extended narrow-line region (NLR) in unprecedented detail. The density-stratified NLR appears to be shaped by the initial blow-out and ongoing interaction of the radio jet with the interstellar medium, creating a multiphase bicone with a layered structure composed of molecular and ionized gas. The NLR spectrum, with strong coronal emission at kiloparsec scale, is well modeled by active galactic nucleus photoionization. We find evidence that the NLR is rotating around the radio axis, perhaps mediated by magnetic fields and driven by angular momentum transfer from the radio jet. The overall velocity field of the NLR is well described by 250 km s−1outflow along biconical spiral flow lines, combining both rotation and outflow signatures. There is particularly bright [Feii]λ1.644μm emission from a dense, high-velocity dispersion, photoionized clump of clouds found near the projected radio axis. Outflows of 600–2000 km s−1are found in bullets and streamers of ionized gas that may be ablated by the radio jet from these clouds, driving a local outflow rate of 40Myr−1
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available April 10, 2026
  2. Abstract. The Ross Ice Shelf, West Antarctica, experienced an extensive melt event in January 2016. We examine the representation of this event by the HIRHAM5 and MetUM high-resolution regional atmospheric models, as well as a sophisticated offline-coupled firn model forced with their outputs. The model results are compared with satellite-based estimates of melt days. The firn model estimates of the number of melt days are in good agreement with the observations over the eastern and central sectors of the ice shelf, while the HIRHAM5 and MetUM estimates based on their own surface schemes are considerably underestimated, possibly due to deficiencies in these schemes and an absence of spin-up. However, the firn model simulates sustained melting over the western sector of the ice shelf, in disagreement with the observations that show this region as being a melt-free area. This is attributed to deficiencies in the HIRHAM5 and MetUM output and particularly a likely overestimation of night-time net surface radiative flux. This occurs in response to an increase in night-time downwelling longwave flux from around 180–200 to 280 W m−2 over the course of a few days, leading to an excessive amount of energy at the surface available for melt. Satellite-based observations show that this change coincides with a transition from clear-sky to cloudy conditions, with clouds containing both liquid water and ice water. The models capture the initial clear-sky conditions but seemingly struggle to correctly represent cloud properties associated with the cloudy conditions, which we suggest is responsible for the radiative flux errors. 
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  3. All known life is homochiral. DNA and RNA are made from “righthanded” nucleotides, and proteins are made from “left-handed” amino acids. Driven by curiosity and plausible applications, some researchers had begun work toward creating lifeforms composed entirely of mirror-image biological molecules. Such mirror organisms would constitute a radical departure from known life, and their creation warrants careful consideration. The capability to create mirror life is likely at least a decade away and would require large investments and major technical advances; we thus have an opportunity to consider and preempt risks before they are realized. Here, we draw on an indepth analysis of current technical barriers, how they might be eroded by technological progress, and what we deem to be unprecedented and largely overlooked risks. We call for broader discussion among the global research community, policy-makers, research funders, industry, civil society, and the public to chart an appropriate path forward. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available December 20, 2025
  4. Abstract. The Ross Ice Shelf, West Antarctica, experienced an extensive melt event in January 2016. We examine the representation of this event by the HIRHAM5 and MetUM high-resolution regional atmospheric models, as well as a sophisticated offline coupled firn model forced with their outputs. The model results are compared with satellite-based estimates of melt days. The firn model estimates of the number of melt days are in good agreement with the observations over the eastern and central sectors of the ice shelf, while the HIRHAM5 and MetUM estimates based on their own surface schemes are considerably underestimated, possibly due to deficiencies in these schemes and an absence of spin-up. However, the firn model simulates sustained melting over the western sector of the ice shelf, in disagreement with the observations that show this region as being melt-free. This is attributed to deficiencies in the HIRHAM5 and MetUM output, and particularly a likely overestimation of nighttime net surface radiative flux. This occurs in response to an increase in nighttime downwelling longwave flux from around 180–200 W m-2 to 280 W m-2 over the course of a few days, leading to an excessive amount of energy at the surface available for melt. Satellite-based observations show that this change coincides with a transition from clear-sky conditions to clouds containing both liquid-water and ice-water. The models capture the initial clear-sky conditions but seemingly struggle to correctly represent the ice-to-liquid mass partitioning associated with the cloudy conditions, which we suggest is responsible for the radiative flux errors. 
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    Transient absorption data of [Fe II (tpy)(CN) 3 ] − reveals spectroscopic signatures indicative of 3 MLCT with a ∼10 ps kinetic component. These data are supported by DFT and TD-DFT calculations, which show that excited state ordering is responsive to the number of cyanide ligands on the complex. 
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  7. We report the excited-state behavior of a structurally simple bis -sulfoxide complex, cis -S,S-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ , as investigated by femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy. The results reveal that a single photon prompts phototriggered isomerization of one or both dmso ligands to yield a mixture of cis -S,O-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ and cis -O,O-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ . The quantum yields of isomerization of each product and relative product distribution are dependent upon the excitation wavelength, with longer wavelengths favoring the double isomerization product, cis -O,O-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ . Transient absorption measurements on cis -O,O-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ do not reveal an excited-state isomerization pathway to produce either the S,O or S,S isomers. Femtosecond pulse shaping experiments reveal no change in the product distribution. Pump–repump–probe transient absorption spectroscopy of cis -S,S-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ shows that a pump–repump time delay of 3 ps dramatically alters the S,O : O,O product ratio; pump–repump–probe transient absorption spectroscopy of cis -O,O-[Ru(bpy) 2 (dmso) 2 ] 2+ with a time delay of 3 ps uncovers an excited-state isomerization pathway to produce the S,O isomer. In conjunction with low-temperature steady-state emission spectroscopy, these results are interpreted in the context of an excited-state bifurcating pathway, in which the isomerization product distribution is determined not by thermodynamics, but rather as a dynamics driven reaction. 
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  8. A new pyridine-bis(carboxamide)-based ligand with a bithiophene pendant, 2Tcbx, was synthesized. Its lanthanide ion (Ln III ) complexes, [Ln(2Tcbx) 2 ] 3+ , were isolated and their photophysical properties were explored. Upon excitation at 360 nm, these complexes display emission in the near-infrared (NIR) with efficiencies of 0.69% for Ln III = Yb III , 0.20% for Ln III = Nd III , and 0.01% for Ln III = Er III , respectively. Concurrent 1 O 2 formation was seen for all complexes, with efficiencies of 19% for the Yb III complex, 25% for the Nd III complex, and 9% for the Er III complex. When exciting at a longer wavelength, 435 nm, only Ln III emission was observed and larger efficiencies of Ln III -centered emission were obtained. The lack of 1 O 2 generation indicates that energy pathways involving different ligand conformations, which were investigated by transient absorption spectroscopy, are involved in the sensitization process, and enable the wavelength-dependent generation of 1 O 2 . 
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  9. null (Ed.)
    ABSTRACT We present the first high-resolution 230–470 MHz map of the Perseus cluster obtained with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. The high dynamic range and resolution achieved have allowed the identification of previously unknown structures in this nearby galaxy cluster. New hints of sub-structures appear in the inner radio lobes of the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 1275. The spurs of radio emission extending into the outer X-ray cavities, inflated by past nuclear outbursts, are seen for the first time at these frequencies, consistent with spectral aging. Beyond NGC 1275, we also analyse complex radio sources harboured in the cluster. Two new distinct, narrowly collimated jets are visible in IC 310, consistent with a highly projected narrow-angle tail radio galaxy infalling into the cluster. We show how this is in agreement with its blazar-like behaviour, implying that blazars and bent-jet radio galaxies are not mutually exclusive. We report the presence of filamentary structures across the entire tail of NGC 1265, including two new pairs of long filaments in the faintest bent extension of the tail. Such filaments have been seen in other cluster radio sources such as relics and radio lobes, indicating that there may be a fundamental connection between all these radio structures. We resolve the very narrow and straight tail of CR 15 without indication of double jets, so that the interpretation of such head–tail sources is yet unclear. Finally, we note that only the brightest western parts of the mini-halo remain, near NGC 1272 and its bent double jets. 
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  10. The SUMup database is a compilation of surface mass balance (SMB), subsurface temperature and density measurements from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. This 2023 release contains 4 490 442 data points: 1 778 540 SMB measurements, 2 706 413 density measurements and 5 489 subsurface temperature measurements. This is respectively 1 477 132, 420 825 and 4 715 additional observations of SMB, density and temperature compared to the 2022 release. This new release provides not only snow accumulation on ice sheets, like its predecessors, but all types of SMB measurements, including from ablation areas. On the other hand, snow depth on sea ice is discontinued, but can still be found in the previous releases. The data files are provided in both CSV and NetCDF format and contain, for each measurement, the following metadata: latitude, longitude, elevation, timestamp, method, reference of the data source and, when applicable, the name of the measurement group it belongs to (core name for SMB, profile name for density, station name for temperature). Data users are encouraged to cite all the original data sources that are being used. Issues about this release as well as suggestions of datasets to be added in next releases can be done on a dedicated user forum: https://github.com/SUMup-database/SUMup-data-suggestion/issues. Example scripts to use the SUMup 2023 files are made available on our script repository: https://github.com/SUMup-database/SUMup-example-scripts. 
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