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At least 37 records · Page 2

Comparing Local Starbursts to High-Redshift Galaxies: A Search for Lyman-Break Analogs

We compare the restframe far-ultraviolet (FUV) morphologies of 8 nearby interacting and starburst galaxies (Arp 269, M 82, Mrk 08, NGC 0520, NGC 1068, NGC 3079, NGC 3310, NGC 7673) with 54 galaxies at z approx.1.5 and 46 galaxies at z approx.4 in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS) images taken with the Advanced Camera for Surveys onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. We calculate the Gini coefficient (G), the second order moment of 20% of the brightest pixels (M20), and the S ersic index (n). We find that 20% (11/54) of z approx.1.5 and 37% (17/46) of z approx.4 galaxies are bulge-like, using G and M20. We also find approx.70% of the z approx.1.5 and z approx.4 galaxies have exponential disks with n > 0.8. The 2D profile combined with the nonparametric methods provides more detail, concerning the nature of disturbed systems, such as merger and post-merger types. We also provide qualitative descriptions of each galaxy system and at each redshift. We conclude that Mrk 08, NGC 3079, and NGC 7673 have similar morphologies as the starburst FUV restframe galaxies and Lyman-break galaxies at z approx.1.5 and 4, and determine that they are Lyman-break analogs.

Petty, Sara M.↗

A Lyman Break Galaxy in the Epoch of Reionization from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Grism Spectroscopy

Slitless grism spectroscopy from space offers dramatic advantages for studying high redshift galaxies: high spatial resolution to match the compact sizes of the targets, a dark and uniform sky background, and simultaneous observation over fields ranging from five square arcminutes (HST) to over 1000 square arcminutes (Euclid). Here we present observations of a galaxy at z = 6.57 the end of the reioinization epoch identified using slitless HST grism spectra from the PEARS survey (Probing Evolution And Reionization Spectroscopically) and reconfirmed with Keck + DEIMOS. This high redshift identification is enabled by the depth of the PEARS survey. Substantially higher redshifts are precluded for PEARS data by the declining sensitivity of the ACS grism at greater than lambda 0.95 micrometers. Spectra of Lyman breaks at yet higher redshifts will be possible using comparably deep observations with IR-sensitive grisms.

Rhoads, James E.↗

Radio continuum polarimetric imaging of high redshift radio galaxies

Multifrequency images of total and polarized radio continuum emission from the two high redshift radio galaxies 0902+343 (z = 3.40) and 0647+415 (4C 41.17, z = 3.80) are presented. These images represent the most sensitive polarimetric study of high redshift ratio galaxies to date. The emission from both galaxies is substantially polarized, up to 30% in some regions, and both sources sit behind deep 'Faraday screens,' producing large rotation measures, over 10(exp 3) rad/sq. m in magnitude, and large rotation measure gradients across the sources. Such large rotation measures provide further evidence that high redshift radio galaxies are situated in very dense environments. Drawing the analogy to a class of low redshift powerful radio galaxies with similarly large rotation measures, we suggest that 0902+343 and 0647+415 are situated at the centers of dense, x-ray 'colling flow' clusters, and that the cluster gas is substantially magnetized. The remarkable similarity between the optical and radio morphologies of 0647+415 on scales as small as 0.1 sec is presented. We consider, and reject, both synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation as possible sources of the optical emission. We also consider both scattering of light out of a 'cone' of radiation from an obscured nucleus, and jet-induced star formation, and find that both models encounter difficulties in explaining this remarkably close radio-optical alignment. High resolution spectral index images reveal compact, flat spectrum components in both sources. We suggest that these components are the active nuclei of the galaxies. Lastly, high resolution images of 0902+343 show that the southernmost component forms a 'ring' of 0.2 sec radius. We discuss the possibility that this ring is the result of gravitational lensing, along the lines proposed by Kochanek & Lawrence (1990).

Carilli, C. L.↗

Steep radio spectra in high-redshift radio galaxies

The generic spectrum of an optically thin synchrotron source steepens by 0.5 in spectral index from low frequencies to high whenever the source lifetime is greater than the energy-loss timescale for at least some of the radiating electrons. Three effects tend to decrease the frequency nu(b) of this spectral bend as the source redshift increases: (1) for fixed bend frequency nu* in the rest frame, nu(b) = nu*/(1 + z); (2) losses due to inverse Compton scattering the microwave background rise with redshift as (1 + z) exp 4, so that, for fixed residence time in the radiating region, the energy of the lowest energy electron that can cool falls rapidly with increasing redshift; and (3) if the magnetic field is proportional to the equipartition field and the emitting volume is fixed or slowly varying, flux-limited samples induce a selection effect favoring low nu* at high z because higher redshift sources require higher emissivity to be included in the sample, and hence have stronger implied fields and more rapid synchrotron losses. A combination of these effects may explain the trend observed in the 3CR sample for higher redshift radio galaxies to have steeper spectra, and the successful use of ultrasteep spectrum surveys to locate high-redshift galaxies.

Krolik, Julian H.↗

Extremely red objects in the fields of high redshift radio galaxies

We are engaged in a program of infrared imaging photometry of high redshift radio galaxies. The observations are being done using NICMOS2 and NICMOS3 arrays on the DuPont 100-inch telescope at Las Campanas Observatory. In addition, Persson and Matthews are measuring the spectral energy distributions of normal cluster galaxies in the redshift range 0 to 1. These measurements are being done with a 58 x 62 InSb array on the Palomar 5-m telescope. During the course of these observations we have imaged roughly 20 square arcminutes of sky to limiting magnitudes greater than 20 in the J, H, and K passbands (3 sigma in 3 square arcseconds). We have detected several relatively bright, extremely red, extended objects during the course of this work. Because the radio galaxy program requires Thuan-Gunn gri photometry, we are able to construct rough photometric energy distributions for many of the objects. A sample of the galaxy magnitudes within 4 arcseconds diameter is given. All the detections are real; either the objects show up at several wavelengths, or in subsets of the data. The reddest object in the table, 9ab'B' was found in a field of galaxies in a rich cluster at z = 0.4; 9ab'A' lies 8 arcseconds from it.

Persson, S. E.↗

Isophotal diameters of galaxies at high redshifts

New ultraviolet observations and archival spectra are presented for the bright disk of the galaxy NGC 4736 to derive the ultraviolet surface brightness profile. This is used to predict the appearance of such a galaxy at high redshift. The profiles in red light of 100 galaxies determined by S. Kent (1984) are used with assumed ultraviolet spectra to predict the isophotal diameters of these galaxies as a function of redshift. The results show that, for ground-based imagery, normal spiral galaxies should be resolvable to the largest redshifts (z roughly 1). For space-based imagery, much smaller but brighter galactic disks characterized by extensive star formation will be those resolved at the highest redshifts (z roughly 2.5).

Weedman, Daniel W.↗

On the Nature of the First Galaxies Selected at 350 Micrometers

We present constraints on the nature of the first galaxies selected at 350 micrometers. The sample includes galaxies discovered in the deepest blank-field survey at 350 micrometers (in the Bo6tes Deep Field) and also later serendipitous detections in the Lockman Hole. In determining multiwavelength identifications, the 350 lam position and map resolution of the second generation Submillimeter High Angular Resolution Camera are critical, especially in the cases where multiple radio sources exist and the 24 micrometer counterparts are unresolved. Spectral energy distribution templates are fitted to identified counterparts, and the sample is found to comprise IR-luminous galaxies at 1 < z < 3 predominantly powered by star formation. The first spectrum of a 350 micrometer selected galaxy provides an additional confirmation, showing prominent dust grain features typically associated with star-forming galaxies. Compared to submillimeter galaxies selected at 850 and 1100 micrometers, galaxies selected at 350 micrometers have a similar range of far-infrared color temperatures. However, no 350 micrometer selected sources are reliably detected at 850 or 1100 micrometers. Galaxies in our sample with redshifts 1 < z < 2 show a tight correlation between the far- and mid-infrared flux densities, but galaxies at higher redshifts show a large dispersion in their mid- to far-infrared colors. This implies a limit to which the mid-IR emission traces the far-IR emission in star-forming galaxies. The 350 micrometer flux densities (15 < S(sub 350) < 40 mJy) place these objects near the Herschel/SPIRE 350 micrometer confusion threshold, with the lower limit on the star formation rate density suggesting the bulk of the 350 micrometers contribution will come from less luminous infrared sources and normal galaxies. Therefore, the nature of the dominant source of the 350 micrometers background-star-forming galaxies in the epoch of peak star formation in the universe-could be more effectively probed using ground-based instruments with their angular resolution and sensitivity offering significant advantages over space-based imaging. Key words: galaxies: high-redshift galaxies: starburst infrared: galaxies submillimeter

Khan, Sophia A.↗

The Cosmic Odyssey of Dust

We will present models for the evolution of dust in high redshift galaxies and in galaxies in the local universe. Galaxies at very high redshift, when the universe was less than one billion years old, contain massive quantities of dust that could only have for~nedin the explosion of core-collapse supernovae. These same objects are also the main source of grain destruction during the later, remnant phase of their evolution. These galaxies offer therefore a unique opportunity for examining the effect of massive stars on the formation and destruction of interstellar dust, and the lecture will present a model for the evolution of dust in these very young galaxies. Spectral and photometric observations of nearby galaxies show a correlation between the strength of their mid-IR aromatic features, attributed to PAH molecules, and their metal abundance, leading to a deficiency of these features in low-metallicity galaxies. We show the observed correlation represents a trend of PAH abundance with galactic age, reflecting the delayed injection of carbon dust into the ISM by AGB stars in the final post-AGB phase of their evolution. We also show that larger dust particles giving rise to the far-IR emission follow a distinct evolutionary trend closely related to the injection of dust by massive stars into the ISM.

Dwek, Eli↗

Discovery of a probable galaxy with a redshift of 3.218

The discovery of a narrow emission line object, probably a galaxy, with a redshift of 3.218, is reported. The object is a companion to the quasar PKS 1614 + 051, which is at a redshift of 3.209. This is the most distant non-QSO, nongravitationally lensed object presently known by a large margin. Its properties are consistent with those expected of a high-redshift galaxy. This object has an age of only a few percent of the present age of the universe. The object was discovered with a novel technique, which promises to push studies of distant galaxies to redshifts as high as those of the most distant quasars known, and which may eventually lead to the discovery of primeval galaxies. This discovery opens the way for studies of galaxies beyond redshift three, which should prove invaluable for observational cosmology.

Djorgovski, S.↗

The Infrared Properties of Sources Matched in the Wise All-Sky and Herschel ATLAS Surveys

We describe the infrared properties of sources detected over approx 36 sq deg of sky in the GAMA 15-hr equatorial field, using data from both the Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large-Area Survey (HATLAS) and Wide-field Infrared Survey (WISE). With 5sigma point-source depths of 34 and 0.048 mJy at 250 micron and 3.4 micron, respectively, we are able to identify 50.6% of the H-ATLAS sources in the WISE survey, corresponding to a surface density of approx 630 deg(exp -2). Approximately two-thirds of these sources have measured spectroscopic or optical/near-IR photometric redshifts of z < 1. For sources with spectroscopic redshifts at z < 0.3, we find a linear correlation between the infrared luminosity at 3.4 micron and that at 250 micron, with +/- 50% scatter over approx 1.5 orders of magnitude in luminosity, approx 10(exp 9) - 10(exp 10.5) Solar Luminosity By contrast, the matched sources without previously measured redshifts (r approx > 20.5) have 250-350 micron flux density ratios that suggest either high-redshift galaxies (z approx > 1.5) or optically faint low-redshift galaxies with unusually low temperatures (T approx < 20). Their small 3.4-250 micron flux ratios favor a high-redshift galaxy population, as only the most actively star-forming galaxies at low redshift (e.g., Arp 220) exhibit comparable flux density ratios. Furthermore, we find a relatively large AGN fraction (approx 30%) in a 12 micron flux-limited subsample of H-ATLAS sources, also consistent with there being a significant population of high-redshift sources in the no-redshift sample

Bond, Nicholas A.↗

How to find galaxies at high redshift

The UV and optical spectra presented for the blue star-forming galaxies Mrk 357, Mrk 496, and Mrk 26 have sufficiently large redshifts to make Lyman-alpha observations possible. Weak Lyman-alpha emission is observed in Mrk 357 and Mrk 469, with a flux value comparable to that of H-beta, and no detectable Lyman-alpha emission is detected in the case of Mrk 26. All three objects exhibit strong UV continuum emission, which is characteristic of hot stars, and although little evidence of dust is found, the observational constraints on extinction and neutral hydrogen column densities allow substantial reductions of the Lyman-alpha flux by dust absorption in conjunction with large line optical depths. These results imply that primeval galaxy detection calls for attention to be given to redshifted continuum emission from massive galaxies.

Hartmann, L. W.↗

The Infrared Properties of Sources Matched in the WISE All-Sky and Herschel Atlas Surveys

We describe the infrared properties of sources detected over approx. 36 deg2 of sky in the GAMA 15-hr equatorial field, using data from both the Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large-Area Survey (H-ATLAS) and Wide-field Infrared Survey (WISE). With 5(sigma) point-source depths of 34 and 0.048 mJy at 250 microns and 3.4 microns, respectively, we are able to identify 50.6% of the H-ATLAS sources in the WISE survey, corresponding to a surface density of approx. 630 deg-2. Approximately two-thirds of these sources have measured spectroscopic or optical/near-IR photometric redshifts of z < 1. For sources with spectroscopic redshifts at z < 0.3, we find a linear correlation between the infrared luminosity at 3.4 microns and that at 250 microns, with +/-50% scatter over approx. 1.5 orders of magnitude in luminosity, approx. 10(exp 9) - 10(exp 10.5) Stellar Luminosity. By contrast, the matched sources without previously measured redshifts (r > or approx. 20.5) have 250-350 microns flux density ratios that suggest either high-redshift galaxies (z > or approx. 1.5) or optically faint low-redshift galaxies with unusually low temperatures (T < or approx. 20). Their small 3.4-250 microns flux ratios favor a high-redshift galaxy population, as only the most actively star-forming galaxies at low redshift (e.g., Arp 220) exhibit comparable flux density ratios. Furthermore, we find a relatively large AGN fraction (approx. 30%) in a 12 microns flux-limited subsample of H-ATLAS sources, also consistent with there being a significant population of high-redshift sources in the no-redshift sample.

Bond, Nicholas A.↗

Herschel-ATLAS: The Angular Correlation Function of Submillimetre Galaxies at High and Low Redshift

We present measurements of the angular correlation function of galaxies selected from the first field of the H-ATLAS survey. Careful removal of the background from galactic cirrus is essential, and currently dominates the uncertainty in our measurements. For our 250 micrometer-selected sample we detect no significant clustering, consistent with the expectation that the 250 pm-selected sources are mostly normal galaxies at z < or equal to 1. For our 350 micrometer and 500 micrometer-selected samples we detect relatively strong clustering with correlation amplitudes A of 0.2 and 1.2 at 1', but with relatively large uncertainties. For samples which preferentially select high redshift galaxies at z approx. 2-3 we detect significant strong clustering, leading to an estimate of r(0) approx. 7-11/h Mpc. The slope of our clustering measurements is very steep. delta approx. 2. The measurements are consistent with the idea that sub-mm sources consist of a low redshift population of normal galaxies and a high redshift population of highly clustered star-bursting galaxies.

Maddox, S. J.↗

Complex QSO absorbers: High-redshift clusters of galaxies?

Using the PSPC instrument on the ROSAT satellite, we have obtained deep exposures of the fields centered on the QSO's 1556+335, 1037-271, and 0854+191 in an effort to search for extended X-ray emission corresponding to complex QSO absorption-line systems (QALS's) that could be indicative of clusters of galaxies at high redshift. The QSO 1556+335 is known to have a pair of complicated C IV absorption systems at z equals 1.610 (Delta v = 988 km/s) and z equals 1.650 (Delta v = 1677 km/s) near the z equals 1.641 QSO redshift. It has been suggested that the absorption may be due to two rich clusters, one containing the QSO itself. The QSO 0854+191 (z(sub em) = 1.89) has 6 strong C IV absorption systems in 2 close groups at z equals 1.2954, 1.2973,1.3019 and z equals 1.3522, 1.3543, 1.3558. Assuming q(sub O) equals 0.5 and H(sub O) equals 50 km/s Mpc(exp -l), the redshift range of this absorption-line cluster corresponds to a radial distance of 44 Mpc. Interestingly, there is a nearby (approximately 30') QSO (0856+189) with a projected separation of 16 Mpc whose redshift (z = 1.29) is similar to that of the absorbing material toward 0854+191. In the case of 1037-271 (Z(sub em) = 2.18), common QALSs have been observed at z equals l.90, 1.96, 2.02, 2.08, and 2.14 (a radial range of 66 Mpc) in its spectrum and that of its neighbor Tol 1038-272 (Z(sub em) = 2.32) whose 18' separation corresponds to a linear distance of 9 Mpc at z approximately equals 2. The length scales implied by the absorbers toward 0854+191 and 1037-271 are interesting in that they suggest structures more akin to superclusters than clusters.

Meyer, David M.↗