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Postman, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Postman, M..

12 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Type-Ia Supernova Rates to Redshift 2.4 from Clash: The Cluster Lensing and Supernova Survey with Hubble

We present the supernova (SN) sample and Type-Ia SN (SN Ia) rates from the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH). Using the Advanced Camera for Surveys and the Wide Field Camera 3 on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we have imaged 25 galaxy-cluster fields and parallel fields of non-cluster galaxies. We report a sample of 27 SNe discovered in the parallel fields. Of these SNe, approximately 13 are classified as SN Ia candidates, including four SN Ia candidates at redshifts z greater than 1.2.We measure volumetric SN Ia rates to redshift 1.8 and add the first upper limit on the SN Ia rate in the range z greater than 1.8 and less than 2.4. The results are consistent with the rates measured by the HST/ GOODS and Subaru Deep Field SN surveys.We model these results together with previous measurements at z less than 1 from the literature. The best-fitting SN Ia delay-time distribution (DTD; the distribution of times that elapse between a short burst of star formation and subsequent SN Ia explosions) is a power law with an index of 1.00 (+0.06(0.09))/(-0.06(0.10)) (statistical) (+0.12/−0.08) (systematic), where the statistical uncertainty is a result of the 68% and 95% (in parentheses) statistical uncertainties reported for the various SN Ia rates (from this work and from the literature), and the systematic uncertainty reflects the range of possible cosmic star-formation histories. We also test DTD models produced by an assortment of published binary population synthesis (BPS) simulations. The shapes of all BPS double-degenerate DTDs are consistent with the volumetric SN Ia measurements, when the DTD models are scaled up by factors of 3-9. In contrast, all BPS single-degenerate DTDs are ruled out by the measurements at greater than 99% significance level.

SUPERNOVA↗
NASA NTRS2012

The ISS as a Testbed for Future Large Astronomical Observatories: The OpTIIX Demonstration Program

Future large (diameters in excess of approx. 10 m) astronomical observatories in space will need to employ advanced technologies if they are to be affordable. Many of these technologies are ready to be validated on orbit and the International Space Station (ISS) provides a suitable platform for such demonstrations. These technologies include low-cost, low-density, highly deformable mirror segments, coupled with advanced sensing and control methods. In addition, the ISS offers available telerobotic assembly techniques to build an optical testbed that embodies this new cost-effective approach to assemble and achieve diffraction-limited optical performance for very large space telescopes. Given the importance that NASA attaches to the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences "Decadal Survey" process, essential capabilities and technologies will be demonstrated well in advance of the next Survey, which commences in 2019. To achieve this objective, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) are carrying out a Phase A/B study of the Optical Testbed and Integration on ISS eXperiment (OpTIIX). The overarching goal is to demonstrate well before the end of this decade key capabilities intended to enable very large optical systems in the decade of the 2020s. Such a demonstration will retire technical risk in the assembly, alignment, calibration, and operation of future space observatories. The OpTIIX system, as currently designed, is a six-hexagon element, segmented visual-wavelength telescope with an edge-to-edge aperture of 1.4 m, operating at its diffraction limit,

Burdick, G.↗
NASA NTRS2010

ATLAST-9.2: A Deployable Large Aperture UVOIR Space Telescope

We present the results of a study of a deployable version of the Advanced Technology Large Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) that could be launched on an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). ATLAST is a concept for a next-generation UVOIR observatory to follow HST and JWST. The observatory retains significant heritage from JWST, thereby taking advantage of technologies and engineering already developed for that mission. At the same time, we have identified several design changes to the JWST architecture, some of which are required due to the demanding wavefront error requirements at visible wavelengths. The optical telescope assembly has a segmented 9.2-meter aperture and consists of 36 hexagonal glass mirrors, each of which is I.3l5m in size (flat-to-flat). The telescope can be folded to fit in the 6.5m fairing on the planned upgrade to the Delta-IV heavy launch vehicle. Near-real time wavefront sensing and control is performed on-board the telescope using stars in the field of view to deliver diffraction limited imaging performance at 500nm wavelength. The optical design of the telescope provides an 8x20 arcmin FOV in which 4-5 instruments can be accommodated, plus fine guidance and wavefront sensors. Unlike JWST, the OTA sits at the end of a multi-gimbaled arm, allowing pitch and roll motion, and is isolated from the sunshield and spacecraft bus by an active isolation system. Our design permits servicing in order to extend the life of the observatory.

Oegerle, William R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The dynamics of the Corona Borealis supercluster

The dynamics of the Corona Borealis (Cor Bor) supercluster was studied on a sample of 1555 galaxies in the vicinity of the six Abell clusters (A2061, A2065, A2067, A2079, A2089, and A2092) which comprise the supercluster. For all galaxies in this sample, photographic R photometry and accurate positional data are available. New R photometry and/or new redshifts were obtained for 97 galaxies, bringing the number of galaxies in this system for which the redshifts are available to 182. The central cluster R band luminosity, X-ray luminosity, and surface density were correlated with the cluster velocity dispersion and virial mass. The amount of matter in the supercluster, estimated to be about 8.2 x 10 to the 15th solar masses, is considered to be sufficient to bind the six Cor Bor clusters, which are contained within a volume of about 13 Mpc in radius. Dynamical time scales are comparable with the Hubble time, making it unlikely that the system is virialized.

Postman, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Probes of large-scale structure in the Corona Borealis region

The present redshift survey of the Corona Borealis region encompasses redshifts, magnitudes and positions for 83 galaxies covering a 16.4 sq deg region; a complementary survey covers 39.2 sq deg, is complete to m(B)0 of 15.5, and encompasses 37 galaxies. The combined survey furnishes further support for the 'bubble-like' geometry revealed by the shallower CfA survey. The redshift distribution obtained is noted to be very similar to that in the neighboring Bootes region. The structure of voids and surfaces in the galaxy distribution is insensitive to luminosity for M(B)0 of less than about -17.4.

Postman, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The cluster-cluster correlation function

The clustering properties of the Abell and Zwicky cluster catalogs are studied using the two-point angular and spatial correlation functions. The catalogs are divided into eight subsamples to determine the dependence of the correlation function on distance, richness, and the method of cluster identification. It is found that the Corona Borealis supercluster contributes significant power to the spatial correlation function to the Abell cluster sample with distance class of four or less. The distance-limited catalog of 152 Abell clusters, which is not greatly affected by a single system, has a spatial correlation function consistent with the power law Xi(r) = 300r exp -1.8. In both the distance class four or less and distance-limited samples the signal in the spatial correlation function is a power law detectable out to 60/h Mpc. The amplitude of Xi(r) for clusters of richness class two is about three times that for richness class one clusters. The two-point spatial correlation function is sensitive to the use of estimated redshifts.

Postman, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The magnitude-redshift relation for 561 Abell clusters

The Hubble diagram for the 561 Abell clusters with measured redshifts has been examined using Abell's (1958) corrected photo-red magnitudes for the tenth-ranked cluster member (m10). After correction for the Scott effect and K dimming, the data are in good agreement with a linear magnitude-redshift relation with a slope of 0.2 out to z = 0.1. New redshift data are also presented for 20 Abell clusters. Abell's m10 is suitable for redshift estimation for clusters with m10 of no more than 16.5. At fainter m10, the number of foreground galaxies expected within an Abell radius is large enough to make identification of the tenth-ranked galaxy difficult. Interlopers bias the estimated redshift toward low values at high redshift. Leir and van den Bergh's (1977) redshift estimates suffer from this same bias but to a smaller degree because of the use of multiple cluster parameters. Constraints on deviations of cluster velocities from the mean cosmological flow require greater photometric accuracy than is provided by Abell's m10 magnitudes.

Postman, M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The morphology-density relation - The group connection

The relationship between galaxy morphology and local density is derived from two complete galaxy redshift surveys. This relationship is completely consistent with the one derived by Dressler for a sample of 55 rich clusters. The apparently universal morphology-density relation extends over six orders of magnitude in galaxy space density. There is no dependence of galaxy morphology on density in regions where the dynamical time scale is comparable with or greater than the Hubble time. At densities greater than about 600 galaxies/cu Mpc, S0's dominate the galaxy population. At these densities, stripping mechanisms are likely to affect the galaxy population. At densities greater than about 3000 galaxies/cu Mpc, the fraction of elliptical galaxies rises steeply. In these regions, the collapse time is short compared with typical time scales for the formation of disks.

Postman, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

First-ranked galaxies in groups

A statistical analysis of five group catalogs shows that the B(0) magnitudes of first-ranked group members are consistent with a statistical model in which the luminosities of all group members are drawn from the same distribution. As in the Hickson compact groups, indications are that first-ranked group members are only rarely the products of distinctive evolutionary processes. Distance-dependent selection effects can introduce spurious correlations among group parameters which may appear to support environment-dependent evolution of the first-ranked group members.

Geller, M. J.↗