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NASA NTRS1997

Space Observations of Starburst Galaxies

Led by JHU postdoc Gerhardt Meurer, we completed our analysis of far-UV HST FOC images of nine nearby starbursts. We have been able to delineate the structure of the regions in which the unusually vigorous star-formation is occurring (Meurer et al 1995). At 0.1 arcsec (2 to 20 pc) resolution, the starbursts are resolved into multiple clumps and bright star clusters distributed over a region several hundred pc to a few kpc in size. This suggests that compact sites of star-formation may propagate from place to place within a larger central gas reservoir over the duration of the burst. The UV and optical properties of these clusters suggest that they may correspond to newly 'minted' globular clusters. These clusters typically produce about 10% to 50% of the far-UV light, and are preferentially located in the heart of the starburst, where the background UV surface brightness is highest. Thus, massive star cluster (globular cluster?) formation is a fundamental part of the starburst phenomenon. This confirms and generalizes the results of Whitmore et al (1993). Our starburst images are also being compared to our recent analysis of the HST FOC image of R136 in the LMC (De Marchi et al 1993). We have also extended our results on the UV photometric structure of starbursts to star-forming galaxies in the early universe (Meurer et al 1997). We show that the most actively- star-forming galaxies at all redshifts seem to have approximately the same bolometric surface-brightness, and that the high redshift galaxies may be larger and more luminous versions of local starbursts.

Heckman, Timothy M.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Modified gravity constraints from the full shape modeling of clustering measurements from DESI 2024

We present cosmological constraints on deviations from general relativity (GR) from the first-year of clustering observations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) in combination with other available datasets including the CMB data from Planck with CMB-lensing from Planck and ACT, BBN constraints on the physical baryon density, the galaxy weak lensing and clustering from DESY3 and supernova data from DESY5. We first consider the μ(a,k)–Σ(a,k) modified gravity (MG) parameterization (as well as η(a,k)) in a ΛCDM and a w 0 w a CDM cosmological backgrounds. Using a functional form for time-only evolution gives μ 0 = 0.11 +0.44 -0.54 from DESI(FS+BAO)+BBN and a wide prior on n s . Using DESI(FS+BAO)+CMB+DESY3+DESY5-SN, we obtain μ 0 = 0.05 ± 0.22 and Σ 0 = 0.008 ± 0.045 and similarly μ 0 = 0.02 +0.19 -0.24 and η 0 = 0.09 +0.36 -0.60 , in an ΛCDM background. In w 0 w a CDM we obtain μ 0 = -0.24 +0.32 -0.28 and Σ 0 = 0.006 ± 0.043, consistent with GR, and we still find a preference of the data for a dynamical dark energy with w 0 > -1 and w a < 0. Using functional dependencies in both time and scale gives μ 0 and Σ 0 with a same level of precision as above but other scale MG parameters remain hard to constrain. We then move to binned parameterizations in a ΛCDM background starting with two bins in redshift and obtain, μ 1 = 1.02 ± 0.13, μ 2 = 1.04 ± 0.11, Σ 1 = 1.021 ± 0.029 and Σ 2 = 1.022 +0.027 -0.023 , all consistent with the unity value of GR in the binning formalism. We then extend the analysis to combine two bins in redshift and two in scale giving 8 MG parameters that we find all consistent with GR. We note that we find here that the tension reported in previous studies about Σ 0 being inconsistent with GR when using Planck PR3 data goes away when we use the recent LoLLiPoP+HiLLiPoP likelihoods. As noted in previous studies, this seems to indicate that the tension is indeed related to the CMB lensing anomaly in PR3 which is also resolved when using the recent likelihoods. We then constrain the class of Horndeski theory in the effective field theory of dark energy approach. We consider both EFT-basis and α-basis in the analysis. Assuming a power law parameterization for the EFT function Ω, which controls non-minimal coupling, we obtain Ω 0 = 0.012 +0.001 -0.012 and s 0 = 0.996 +0.54 -0.20 from the combination of DESI(FS+BAO)+DESY5SN+CMB in a ΛCDM background, which are consistent with GR. Similar results are obtained when using the α-basis and assuming no-braiding (α B = 0) giving c M < 1.14 at 95% CL in a ΛCDM background, also in agreement with GR. However, we see a mild yet consistent indication for c B > 0 when α B is allowed to vary which will require further study to determine whether this is due to systematics or new physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1982

CO observations around galactic longitude l=45 deg

An area of about 1.5 deg x 2.0 deg, centered on l=45.5 deg and b=0.0 deg, was mapped in the (C-12)O line at intervals of one beamwidth. A total of 22 individual CO cloud complexes was identified; the brightest of these is associated with a massive H I cloud and the H II region complex G45.5+0.1. This object most likely represents a small OB star cluster in its early stages of development. All other H II regions in the area mapped are likewise associated with CO maxima. The survey results indicate a structure of the Sagittarius arm generally in agreement with that derived in earlier studies; they also indicate that the Galaxy as a whole contains of the order of 3500 molecular clouds larger than 10 pc in diameter.

Israel, F. P.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Superclustering in the explosion scenario. II - Prolate spheroidal shells from superconducting cosmic strings

If galaxies form on shells, then clusters of galaxies should form at the vertices where three shells intersect. Weinberg, Ostriker, and Dekel (WOD, 1989) studied this picture quantitatively and found that an intersecting spherical shell model reproduces many of the properties of the observed distribution of galaxy clusters, but that too much superclustering is produced. In this paper, the WOD analysis is repeated with prolate spheroids that could be created by superconducting cosmic strings. It is found that most of the attractive features of the WOD model are maintained in the more general case and there is slight improvement in some aspects, but that the overall problem of excessive superclustering is not really alleviated.

Borden, David↗

NASA NTRS1982

Middle-ultraviolet photometry of Virgo cluster galaxies

Photographic photometry of Virgo cluster galaxies has been performed in a wavelength band extending from 1620-3200 A using sounding rocket techniques. The observational results are middle ultraviolet magnitudes, U2421, or faint limits for U2421, for 201 galaxies within 5.5 arcmin of the cluster center. A strong negative correlation is found between U2421 - V and V for all observed S0 galaxies and a similar but weaker correlation for the observed ellipticals. No such correlation is found for spiral galaxies regardless of their projection angles on the sky. The measured colors are generally compatible with colors computed from previously generated composite spectra.

Smith, A. M.↗

DOE OSTI2023

First test of the consistency relation for the large-scale structure using the anisotropic three-point correlation function of BOSS DR12 galaxies

ABSTRACT We present, for the first time, an observational test of the consistency relation for the large-scale structure (LSS) of the Universe through a joint analysis of the anisotropic two- and three-point correlation functions (2PCF and 3PCF) of galaxies. We parameterize the breakdown of the LSS consistency relation in the squeezed limit by Es, which represents the ratio of the coefficients of the shift terms in the second-order density and velocity fluctuations. Es ≠ 1 is a sufficient condition under which the LSS consistency relation is violated. A novel aspect of this work is that we constrain Es by obtaining information about the non-linear velocity field from the quadrupole component of the 3PCF without taking the squeezed limit. Using the galaxy catalogues in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) Data Release 12, we obtain $E_{\rm s} = -0.92_{-3.26}^{+3.13}$, indicating that there is no violation of the LSS consistency relation in our analysis within the statistical errors. Our parameterization is general enough that our constraint can be applied to a wide range of theories, such as multicomponent fluids, modified gravity theories, and their associated galaxy bias effects. Our analysis opens a new observational window to test the fundamental physics using the anisotropic higher-order correlation functions of galaxy clustering.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1976

Energy spectra of X-ray clusters of galaxies

A procedure for estimating the ranges of parameters that describe the spectra of X-rays from clusters of galaxies is presented. The applicability of the method is proved by statistical simulations of cluster spectra; such a proof is necessary because of the nonlinearity of the spectral functions. Implications for the spectra of the Perseus, Coma, and Virgo clusters are discussed. The procedure can be applied in more general problems of parameter estimation.

Avni, Y.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Brightest cluster galaxies: the centre can(not?) hold

ABSTRACT We explore the persistence of the alignment of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) with their local environment. We find that a significant fraction of BCGs do not coincide with the centroid of the X-ray gas distribution and/or show peculiar velocities (they are not at rest with respect to the cluster mean). Despite this, we find that BCGs are generally aligned with the cluster mass distribution even when they have significant offsets from the X-ray centre and significant peculiar velocities. The large offsets are not consistent with simple theoretical models. To account for these observations BCGs must undergo mergers preferentially along their major axis, the main infall direction. Such BCGs may be oscillating within the cluster potential after having been displaced by mergers or collisions, or the dark matter halo itself may not yet be relaxed.

De Propris, Roberto↗

DOE OSTI2024

The dark matter profile of the Milky Way inferred from its circular velocity curve

ABSTRACT In this paper, we construct the circular velocity curve of the Milky Way out to ∼30 kpc, providing an updated model of the dark matter density profile. We derive precise parallaxes for 120 309 stars with a data-driven model, using APOGEE DR17 spectra combined with GaiaDR3, 2MASS, and WISE photometry. At outer galactic radii up to 30 kpc, we find a significantly faster decline in the circular velocity curve compared to the inner parts. This decline is better fit with a cored Einasto profile with a slope parameter $0.91^{+0.04}_{-0.05}$ than a generalized Navarro–Frenk–White (NFW) profile. The virial mass of the best-fitting dark matter halo profile is only $1.81^{+0.06}_{-0.05}\times 10^{11}$ M⊙, significantly lower than what a generalized NFW profile delivers. We present a study of the potential systematics, affecting mainly large radii. Such a low mass for the Galaxy is driven by the functional forms tested, given that it probes beyond our measurements. It is found to be in tension with mass measurements from globular clusters, dwarf satellites, and streams. Our best-fitting profile also lowers the expected dark matter annihilation signal flux from the galactic centre by more than an order of magnitude, compared to an NFW profile-fit. In future work, we will explore profiles with more flexible functional forms to more fully leverage the circular velocity curve and observationally constrain the properties of the Milky Way’s dark matter halo.

Ou, Xiaowei (ORCID:0000000246699967)↗

DOE OSTI2021

Stacked CMB lensing and ISW signals around superstructures in the DESI Legacy Survey

The imprints of large-scale structures on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) can be studied via the CMB lensing and Integrated Sachs–Wolfe (ISW) signals. In particular, the stacked ISW signal around supervoids has been claimed in several works to be anomalously high. In this study, we find cluster and void superstructures using four tomographic redshift bins with 0 < z < 0.8 from the DESI Legacy Survey and measure the stacked CMB lensing and ISW signals around them. To compare our measurements with ΛCDM model predictions, we construct a mock catalogue with matched galaxy number density and bias and apply the same photo-z uncertainty as the data. The consistency between the mock and the data is verified via the stacked galaxy density profiles around the superstructures and their quantity. The corresponding lensing convergence and ISW maps are then constructed and compared. The stacked lensing signal agrees with data well except at the highest redshift bin in density peaks, where the mock prediction is significantly higher, by approximately a factor of 1.3. The stacked ISW signal is generally consistent with the mock prediction. We do not obtain a significant signal from voids, A ISW = -0.10 ± 0.69, and the signal from clusters, A ISW = 1.52 ± 0.72, is at best weakly detected. However, these results are strongly inconsistent with previous claims of ISW signals at many times the level of the ΛCDM prediction. We discuss the comparison of our results with past work in this area and investigate possible explanations for this discrepancy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Differentiable Predictions for Large Scale Structure with SHAMNet

In simulation-based models of the galaxy-halo connection, theoretical predictions for galaxy clustering and lensing are typically made based on Monte Carlo realizations of a mock universe. In this paper, we use Subhalo Abundance Matching (SHAM) as a toy model to introduce an alternative to stochastic predictions based on mock population, demonstrating how to make simulation-based predictions for clustering and lensing that are both exact and differentiable with respect to the parameters of the model. Conventional implementations of SHAM are based on iterative algorithms such as Richardson-Lucy deconvolution; here we use the JAX library for automatic differentiation to train SHAMNet, a neural network that accurately approximates the stellar-to-halo mass relation (SMHM) defined by abundance matching. In our approach to making differentiable predictions of large-scale structure, we map parameterized PDFs onto each simulated halo, and calculate gradients of summary statistics of the galaxy distribution by using autodiff to propagate the gradients of the SMHM through the statistical estimators used to measure one- and two-point functions. Our techniques are quite general, and we conclude with an overview of how they can be applied in tandem with more complex, higher-dimensional models, creating the capability to make differentiable predictions for the multi-wavelength universe of galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1988

Clustering correlations and limits on cosmological gravitational waves

A cosmological background of gravitational waves induces angular deviations in the propagation of light traversing it. All observed astrophysical sources might therefore have varying apparent positions, with the time dependence set by the wave period. Wavelengths greater than a kiloparsec are examined, so the positions are frozen but in general correlated. Comparison with observed galaxy-galaxy n-point correlation functions provide a spectrum-independent limit on the energy density of gravitational waves with wavelengths between a few tens of kiloparsecs and a few hundred megaparsecs of Omega(GW) less than 0.001.

Linder, Eric V.↗

NASA NTRS2021

RELICS-DP7: Spectroscopic Confirmation of a Dichromatic Primeval Galaxy atz∼7

We report the discovery of a spectroscopically confirmed strong Lyαemitter atz=7.0281±0.0003, observed as part of the Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey(RELICS). This galaxy, dubbed“Dichromatic Primeval Galaxy”atz∼7(DP7), shows two distinct components. While fairly unremarkable in terms of its ultraviolet(UV)luminosity(~L0.3UV*,whereLUV*is the characteristic luminosity), DP7 has one of the highest observed Lyαequivalent widths(EWs)amongLyαemitters atz>6(>200Åin the rest frame). The strong Lyαemission generally suggests a young metal-poor, low-dust galaxy; however, we find that the UV slopeβof the galaxy as a whole is redder than typical star-forming galaxies at these redshifts,−1.13±0.84, likely indicating, on average, a considerable amount of dust obscuration, or an older stellar population. When we measureβfor the two components separately, however, we find evidence of differing UVcolors, suggesting two separate stellar populations. Also, we find that Lyαis spatially extended and likely larger than the galaxy size, hinting to the possible existence of a Lyαhalo. Rejuvenation or merging events could explain these results.Either scenario requires an extreme stellar population, possibly including a component of Population III stars, or an obscured active galactic nucleus. DP7, with its low UV luminosity and high LyαEW, represents the typical galaxies that are thought to be the major contribution to the reionization of the universe, and for this reason DP7 is an excellent target for follow-up with the James Webb Space Telescope

Debora Pelliccia↗

DOE OSTI2023

The cosmic web of X-ray active galactic nuclei seen through the eROSITA Final Equatorial Depth Survey (eFEDS)

Which galaxies in the general population turn into active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is a keystone of galaxy formation and evolution. Thanks to SRG/eROSITA’s contiguous 140 square degree pilot survey field, we constructed a large, complete, and unbiased soft X-ray flux-limited (FX > 6.5 × 10 -15 erg s -1 cm -2 ) AGN sample at low redshift, 0.05 < z < 0.55. Two summary statistics, the clustering using spectra from SDSS-V and galaxy-galaxy lensing with imaging from HSC, are measured and interpreted with halo occupation distribution and abundance matching models. Both models successfully account for the observations. We obtain an exceptionally complete view of the AGN halo occupation distribution. The population of AGNs is broadly distributed among halos with a mean mass of 3.9 -2.4 +2.0 × 10 12 M ⊙ . This corresponds to a large-scale halo bias of b(z = 0.34) = 0.99 -0.10 +0.08 . The central occupation has a large transition parameter, σ log 10 (M) = 1.28 ± 0.2. The satellite occupation distribution is characterized by a shallow slope, α sat = 0.73 ± 0.38. We find that AGNs in satellites are rare, with f sat < 20%. Most soft X-ray-selected AGNs are hosted by central galaxies in their dark matter halo. A weak correlation between soft X-ray luminosity and large-scale halo bias is confirmed (3.3σ). We discuss the implications of environmental-dependent AGN triggering. This study paves the way toward fully charting, in the coming decade, the coevolution of X-ray AGNs, their host galaxies, and dark matter halos by combining eROSITA with SDSS-V, 4MOST, DESI, LSST, and Euclid data.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1988

Measuring the topology of large-scale structure in the universe

An algorithm for quantitatively measuring the topology of large-scale structure has now been applied to a large number of observational data sets. The present paper summarizes and provides an overview of some of these observational results. On scales significantly larger than the correlation length, larger than about 1200 km/s, the cluster and galaxy data are fully consistent with a sponge-like random phase topology. At a smoothing length of about 600 km/s, however, the observed genus curves show a small shift in the direction of a meatball topology. Cold dark matter (CDM) models show similar shifts at these scales but not generally as large as those seen in the data. Bubble models, with voids completely surrounded on all sides by wall of galaxies, show shifts in the opposite direction. The CDM model is overall the most successful in explaining the data.

Gott, J. Richard, III↗

NASA NTRS1994

Baryonic dark clusters in galactic halos and their observable consequences

We consider the possibility that approximately 10% of the mass of a typical galaxy halo is in the form of massive (approximately 10(exp 7) solar masses), compact (escape speeds approximately 100 km/s) baryonic clusters made of neutron stars (approximately 10% by mass), black holes (less than or approximately equal to 1%) and brown dwarfs, asteroids, and other low-mass debris (approximately 90%). These general properties are consistent with several different observational and phenomenological constraints on cluster properties subject to the condition that neutron stars comprise approximately 1% of the total halo mass. Such compact, dark clusters could be the sites of a variety of collisional phenomena involving neutron stars. We find that integrated out to the Hubble distance approximately one neutron star-neutron star or neutron star-black hole collision occurs daily. Of order 0.1-1 asteroid-neutron star collisions may also happen daily in the halo of the Milky Way if there is roughly equal cluster mass per logarithmic particle mass interval between asteroids and brown dwarfs. These event rates are comparable to the frequency of gamma-ray burst detections by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Observatory, implying that if dark halo clusters are the sites of most gamma-ray bursts, perhaps approximately 90% of all bursts are extragalactic, but approximately 10% are galactic. It is possible that dark clusters of the kind discussed here could be detected directly by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) or Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). If the clusters considered in this paper exist, they should produce spatially correlated gravitational microlensing of stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). If 10% of the halo is in the form of dark baryonic clusters, and the remaining 90% is in brown dwarfs and other dark objects which are either unclustered or collected into low-mass clusters, then we expect that two events within approximately 1 min of one another are likely to be seen after a total of order 20-30 microlenses have been detected.

Wasserman, Ira↗

NASA NTRS1989

A search for X-ray emission associated with the great attractor

A search is reported for X-ray emission associated with the object, dubbed the 'great attractor', which has been postulated as the cause of the coherent deviations from the Hubble flow which are observed in nearby parts of the universe. The hypothesis that a substantial fraction of the dynamical mass of the great attractor exists in the form of rich clusters of galaxies is ruled out. The possibility is considered that a substantial fraction of the mass of the great attractor could exist in a form which would increase the apparently diffuse X-ray surface brightness. The observational upper limit to the diffuse X-ray sky surface brightness enhancement in the general direction of the great attractor allows interesting limits to be set on the fraction of the dynamical mass of the great attractor which can exist in the form of X-ray-luminous material.

Jahoda, Keith↗

DOE OSTI2025

Exploiting Synergies Between Lensing and BAO Surveys for Improved Cosmological Constraints

Pinning down the nature of dark energy is one of the most pressing questions in modern physics and is one of the five key science drivers identified in the P5 report [P514]. Dark energy is thought to be either a cosmological constant with an equation of state w = P/ρ = −1 which remains constant at all times, a new type of fluid with an equation of state that varies with time (w ̸= constant), or dark energy might indicate a breakdown of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity (GR). It is of critical importance to distinguish between these three scenarios. This can only be accomplished by ambitious and demanding measurements of both the expansion rate of the universe (to track the time evolution of dark energy) together with measurements of the rate at which cosmic structures, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies, grow with time (the “growth rate”). Because of the challenging nature of such observations, and because no single probe simultaneously measures both expansion and growth, the Dark Energy Task Force [A+06] emphasized the importance of using multiple distinct methods to characterize dark energy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗