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DOE OSTI2022

The Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey: Changing-look Quasar Candidates from Multi-epoch Spectroscopy in SDSS-IV

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) can vary significantly in their rest-frame optical/UV continuum emission, and with strong associated changes in broad line emission, on much shorter timescales than predicted by standard models of accretion disks around supermassive black holes. Most such changing-look or changing-state AGN—and at higher luminosities, changing-look quasars (CLQs)—have been found via spectroscopic follow-up of known quasars showing strong photometric variability. The Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV) includes repeat spectroscopy of large numbers of previously known quasars, many selected irrespective of photometric variability, and with spectral epochs separated by months to decades. Our visual examination of these repeat spectra for strong broad line variability yielded 61 newly discovered CLQ candidates. We quantitatively compare spectral epochs to measure changes in continuum and Hβ broad line emission, finding 19 CLQs, of which 15 are newly recognized. The parent sample includes only broad line quasars, so our study tends to find objects that have dimmed, i.e., turn-off CLQs. However, we nevertheless find four turn-on CLQs that meet our criteria, albeit with broad lines in both dim and bright states. We study the response of Hβ and Mg ii emission lines to continuum changes. The Eddington ratios of CLQs are low, and/or their Hβ broad line width is large relative to the overall quasar population. Repeat quasar spectroscopy in the upcoming SDSS-V black hole Mapper program will reveal significant numbers of CLQs, enhancing our understanding of the frequency and duty cycle of such strong variability, and the physics and dynamics of the phenomenon.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2016

BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey - III. An Observed Link Between AGN Eddington Ratio and Narrow-Emission-Line Ratios

We investigate the observed relationship between black hole mass (M(sub BH)), bolometric luminosity (L(sub bol)) and Eddington ratio (lambda(sub Edd)) with optical emission-line ratios ([N II] lambda6583/Halpha, [S II]lambda-lamda6716, 6731/Halpha, [O I] lamda6300/Halpha, [O III] lamda5007/Hbeta, [Ne III] lamda3869/Hbeta and He II lamda4686/Hbeta) of hard X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey. We show that the [N II] lamda6583/Halpha ratio exhibits a significant correlation with lamda(sub Edd) (R(sub Pear) = -0.44, p-value 3 x 10(exp. -13) sigma = 0.28 dex), and the correlation is not solely driven by M(sub BH) or L(sub bol). The observed correlation between [N II] lamda6583/Halpha ratio and M(sub BH) is stronger than the correlation with L(sub bol), but both are weaker than the lamda(sub Edd) correlation. This implies that the large-scale narrow lines of AGN host galaxies carry information about the accretion state of the AGN central engine. We propose that [N II] lamda6583/Halpha is a useful indicator of Eddington ratio with 0.6 dex of rms scatter, and that it can be used to measure lambda(sub Edd) and thus M(sub BH) from the measured L(sub bol), even for high-redshift obscured AGN. We briefly discuss possible physical mechanisms behind this correlation, such as the mass-metallicity relation, X-ray heating, and radiatively driven outflows.

black hole physics â€“ galaxies: active â€“ galaxi↗

DOE OSTI2022

Photometric Objects Around Cosmic Webs (PAC) Delineated in a Spectroscopic Survey. III. Accurate Measurement of Galaxy Stellar Mass Function with the Aid of Cosmological Redshift Surveys

We present a novel method to accurately measure the galaxy stellar mass function (GSMF) based upon the Photometric objects Around Cosmic webs (PAC) method developed in our first paper (Paper I) of the series. The method allows us to measure the GSMF to a lower-mass end that is not accessible to the spectroscopic sample used in the PAC. Compared with Paper I, the current measurement of GSMF is direct and model independent. We measure the GSMFs in the redshift ranges of z$^{3}_{s}$ < 0.2, 0.2 < z s < 0.4, and 0.5 < z s < 0.7 down to stellar masses of M* = 10 8.2 , 10 10.6 , and 10 10.6 M ⊙ , using the data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Surveys and the spectroscopic samples of Slogan Digital Sky Survey (i.e., Main, LOWZ, and CMASS samples). Our results show that there is no evolution of GSMF from z s = 0.6 to z s = 0.1 for M* > 10 10.6 M ⊙ , and that there is a clear upturn at M* ≈ 10 9.5 M ⊙ toward smaller galaxies in the local GMSF at z s = 0.1. We provide an accurate double Schechter fit to the local GSMF for the entire range of M* and a table of our measurements at the three redshifts, which can be used to test theories of galaxy formation. Our method can achieve an accurate measurement of GSMF to the stellar mass limit where the spectroscopic sample is already highly incomplete (e.g., ~ 10 -3 ) for its target selection.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Photometric Objects Around Cosmic Webs (PAC) Delineated in a Spectroscopic Survey. IV. High-precision Constraints on the Evolution of the Stellar–Halo Mass Relation at Redshift z < 0.7

Taking advantage of the Photometric objects Around Cosmic webs method developed in Paper I, we measure the excess surface density $\overline{n}$ 2 w p of the photometric objects around spectroscopic objects down to stellar masses 10 8.0 M ⊙ , 10 9.2 M ⊙ , and 10 9.8 M ⊙ in the redshift ranges of z s < 0.2, 0.2 < z s < 0.4, and 0.5 < z s < 0.7, respectively, using data from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys and spectroscopic samples from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (i.e., the Main, LOWZ, and CMASS samples). We model the measured in an N-body simulation, using the abundance matching method, and we constrain the stellar–halo mass relations (SHMRs) in the three redshift ranges to percent levels. With the accurate modeling, we demonstrate that the stellar mass scatter for a given halo mass is nearly a constant, and that the empirical form of Behroozi et al. describes the SHMR better than the double-power-law form at low mass. Our SHMR accurately captures the downsizing of massive galaxies from z s = 0.7, while it also indicates that small galaxies are still growing faster than their host halos. The galaxy stellar mass functions (GSMFs) from our modeling are in perfect agreement with the model-independent measurements in Paper III, although the current work extends the GSMFs to a much smaller stellar mass. Based on the GSMFs and the SHMRs, we derive the stellar mass completeness and halo occupation distributions for the LOWZ and CMASS samples, which are useful for correctly interpreting their cosmological measurements, such as galaxy–galaxy lensing and redshift space distortion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

The DECam MAGIC Survey: Spectroscopic Follow-up of the Most Metal-poor Stars in the Distant Milky Way Halo *

In this work, we present high-resolution spectroscopic observations for six metal-poor stars with [Fe/H] < –3 (including one with [Fe/H] < –4), selected using narrowband Ca ii HK photometry from the DECam MAGIC Survey. The spectroscopic data confirm the accuracy of the photometric metallicities and allow for the determination of chemical abundances for 16 elements, from carbon to barium. The program stars have chemical abundances consistent with the [Fe/H] < –3 range. A kinematic/dynamical analysis suggests that all program stars belong to the distant Milky Way halo population (heliocentric distances 35 < d helio /kpc ≲ 55), including three with high-energy orbits that might have been associated with the Magellanic system and one, J0026−5445, having parameters consistent with being a member of the Sagittarius stream. The remaining two stars show kinematics consistent with the Gaia-Sausage/Enceladus dwarf galaxy merger. J0433−5548, with [Fe/H] = –4.12, is a carbon-enhanced ultra metal-poor star, with [C/Fe] = +1.73. This star is believed to be a bona fide second-generation star, and its chemical abundance pattern was compared with yields from metal-free supernova models. Results suggest that J0433−5548 could have been formed from a gas cloud enriched by a single supernova explosion from an ∼11 M ⊙ star in the early Universe. The successful identification of such objects demonstrates the reliability of photometric metallicity estimates, which can be used for target selection and statistical studies of faint targets in the Milky Way and its satellite population. These discoveries illustrate the power of measuring chemical abundances of metal-poor Milky Way halo stars to learn more about early galaxy formation and evolution.

CEMP stars↗

DOE OSTI2024

The MOST Hosts Survey: Spectroscopic Observation of the Host Galaxies of ∼40,000 Transients Using DESI

We present the Multi-Object Spectroscopy of Transient (MOST) Hosts survey. The survey is planned to run throughout the 5 yr of operation of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) and will generate a spectroscopic catalog of the hosts of most transients observed to date, in particular all the supernovae observed by most public, untargeted, wide-field, optical surveys (Palomar Transient Factory, PTF/intermediate PTF, Sloan Digital Sky Survey II, Zwicky Transient Facility, DECAT, DESIRT). Science cases for the MOST Hosts survey include Type Ia supernova cosmology, fundamental plane and peculiar velocity measurements, and the understanding of the correlations between transients and their host-galaxy properties. Here we present the first release of the MOST Hosts survey: 21,931 hosts of 20,235 transients. These numbers represent 36% of the final MOST Hosts sample, consisting of 60,212 potential host galaxies of 38,603 transients (a transient can be assigned multiple potential hosts). Of all the transients in the MOST Hosts list, only 26.7% have existing classifications, and so the survey will provide redshifts (and luminosities) for nearly 30,000 transients. A preliminary Hubble diagram and a transient luminosity–duration diagram are shown as examples of future potential uses of the MOST Hosts survey. The survey will also provide a training sample of spectroscopically observed transients for classifiers relying only on photometry, as we enter an era when most newly observed transients will lack spectroscopic classification. The MOST Hosts DESI survey data will be released on a rolling cadence and updated to match the DESI releases.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Detection of the large-scale tidal field with galaxy multiplet alignment in the DESI Y1 spectroscopic survey

We explore correlations between the orientations of small galaxy groups, or ‘multiplets’, and the large-scale gravitational tidal field. Using data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Y1 survey, we detect the intrinsic alignment (IA) of multiplets to the galaxy-traced matter field out to separations of $100\,h^{-1}$ Mpc. Unlike traditional IA measurements of individual galaxies, this estimator is not limited by imaging of galaxy shapes and allows for direct IA detection beyond redshift $z=1$. Multiplet alignment is a form of higher order clustering, for which the scale-dependence traces the underlying tidal field and amplitude is a result of small-scale ($\lt 1h^{-1}$ Mpc) dynamics. Within samples of bright galaxies, luminous red galaxies (LRG) and emission-line galaxies, we find similar scale-dependence regardless of intrinsic luminosity or colour. This is promising for measuring tidal alignment in galaxy samples that typically display no IA. DESI’s LRG mock galaxy catalogues created from the A BACUS S UMMIT N -body simulations produce a similar alignment signal, though with a 33 per cent lower amplitude at all scales. An analytic model using a non-linear power spectrum (NLA) only matches the signal down to 20 $h^{-1}$ Mpc. Our detection demonstrates that galaxy clustering in the non-linear regime of structure formation preserves an interpretable memory of the large-scale tidal field. Multiplet alignment complements traditional two-point measurements by retaining directional information imprinted by tidal forces, and contains additional line-of-sight information compared to weak lensing. This is a more effective estimator than the alignment of individual galaxies in dense, blue, or faint galaxy samples.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Robust Dark Energy Constraints with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Survey (Final Technical Report)

This project developed and applied advanced theoretical, computational, and data-analysis methodologies to extract robust and precise cosmological constraints from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The work focused on maximizing the scientific return of DESI through optimized survey strategy, novel higher-order clustering statistics, improved modeling of small-scale structure, and rigorous mitigation of observational systematics. Over the award period, the project made substantial contributions to DESI science planning, produced new methods for bispectrum and three-point correlation function analyses, advanced constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity, and delivered widely used software tools. The project also played a major role in training graduate students and a postdoctoral researcher who contributed directly to DESI key projects. The results have significantly enhanced the cosmological reach of DESI and provide a strong foundation for future surveys such as DESI-II and Stage-V experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2021

The HectoMAP Cluster Survey: Spectroscopically Identified Clusters and their Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCGs)

We apply a friends-of-friends (FoF) algorithm to identify galaxy clusters and we use the catalog to explore the evolutionary synergy between brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and their host clusters. We base the cluster catalog on the dense HectoMAP redshift survey (2000 redshifts deg -2 ). The HectoMAP FoF catalog includes 346 clusters with 10 or more spectroscopic members within the range 0.05 < z < 0.55 and with a median z = 0.29. We list these clusters and their members. We also include central velocity dispersions (σ*, BCG ) for the FoF cluster BCGs, a distinctive feature of the HectoMAP FoF catalog. HectoMAP clusters with higher galaxy number density (80 systems) are all genuine clusters with a strong concentration and a prominent BCG in Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam images. The phase-space diagrams show the expected elongation along the line of sight. Lower-density systems include some low reliability systems. We establish a connection between BCGs and their host clusters by demonstrating that σ*, BCG /σ cl decreases as a function of cluster velocity dispersion (σ cl ), in contrast, numerical simulations predict a constant σ*, BCG /σ cl . Sets of clusters at two different redshifts show that BCG evolution in massive systems is slow over the redshift range z < 0.4. The data strongly suggest that minor mergers may play an important role in BCG evolution in clusters with σ cl ≳ 300 km s -1 . For lower mass systems (σ cl < 300 km s -1 ), major mergers may play a significant role. The coordinated evolution of BCGs and their host clusters provides an interesting test of simulations in high-density regions of the universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

High redshift LBGs from deep broadband imaging for future spectroscopic surveys

Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) are promising probes for clustering measurements at high redshift, z > 2, a region only covered so far by Lyman-α forest measurements. Here, in this paper, we investigate the feasibility of selecting LBGs by exploiting the existence of a strong deficit of flux shortward of the Lyman limit, due to various absorption processes along the line of sight. The target selection relies on deep imaging data from the HSC and CLAUDS surveys in the g, r, z and u bands, respectively, with median depths reaching 27 AB in all bands. The selections were validated by several dedicated spectroscopic observation campaigns with DESI. Visual inspection of spectra has enabled us to develop an automated spectroscopic typing and redshift estimation algorithm specific to LBGs. Based on these data and tools, we assess the efficiency and purity of target selections optimised for different purposes. Selections providing a wide redshift coverage retain 57% of the observed targets after spectroscopic confirmation with DESI, and provide an efficiency for LBGs of 83 ± 3%, for a purity of the selected LBG sample of 90 ± 2%. This would deliver a confirmed LBG density of ~ 620 deg$^{-2}$ in the range 2.3 < z < 3.5 for a r-band limiting magnitude r < 24.2. Selections optimised for high redshift efficiency retain 73% of the observed targets after spectroscopic confirmation, with 89 ± 4% efficiency for 97 ± 2% purity. This would provide a confirmed LBG density of ~ 470 deg$^{-2}$ in the range 2.8 < z < 3.5 for a r-band limiting magnitude r < 24.5.A preliminary study of the LBG sample 3d-clustering properties is also presented and used to estimate the LBG linear bias. A value of b$_{LBG}$ = 3.3 ± 0.2 (stat.) is obtained for a mean redshift of 2.9 and a limiting magnitude in r of 24.2, in agreement with results reported in the literature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2013

Quiescent Galaxies in the 3D-HST Survey: Spectroscopic Confirmation of a Large Number of Galaxies With Relatively Old Stellar Populations at z Approx. 2

Quiescent galaxies at z approx. 2 have been identified in large numbers based on rest-frame colors, but only a small number of these galaxies have been spectroscopically confirmed to show that their rest-frame optical spectra show either strong Balmer or metal absorption lines. Here, we median stack the rest-frame optical spectra for 171 photometrically quiescent galaxies at 1.4 < z < 2.2 from the 3D-HST grism survey. In addition to H (4861 ),we unambiguously identify metal absorption lines in the stacked spectrum, including the G band (4304 ),Mgi (5175 ), and Na i (5894 ). This finding demonstrates that galaxies with relatively old stellar populations already existed when the universe was approx. 3 Gyr old, and that rest-frame color selection techniques can efficiently select them. We find an average age of 1.3+0.10.3 Gyr when fitting a simple stellar population to the entire stack. We confirm our previous result from medium-band photometry that the stellar age varies with the colors of quiescent galaxies: the reddest 80 of galaxies are dominated by metal lines and have a relatively old mean age of 1.6+0.50.4 Gyr, whereas the bluest (and brightest) galaxies have strong Balmer lines and a spectroscopic age of 0.9+0.20.1 Gyr. Although the spectrum is dominated by an evolved stellar population, we also find [O iii] and H emission. Interestingly, this emission is more centrally concentrated than the continuum with LOiii = 1.7+/- 0.3 x 10(exp 40) erg/s, indicating residual central star formation or nuclear activity.

Quiescent↗

NASA NTRS2013

Quiescent Galaxies in the 3D-HST Survey: Spectroscopic Confirmation of a Large Number of Galaxies with Relatively Old Stellar Populations at Z approx. 2

Quiescent galaxies at zeta approximately 2 have been identified in large numbers based on rest-frame colors, but only a small number of these galaxies have been spectroscopically confirmed to show that their rest-frame optical spectra show either strong Balmer or metal absorption lines. Here, we median stack the rest-frame optical spectra for 171 photometrically quiescent galaxies at 1.4 less than z less than 2.2 from the 3D-HST grism survey. In addition to H(Beta) (lambda 4861 Angstroms), we unambiguously identify metal absorption lines in the stacked spectrum, including the G band (lambda 4304 Angstroms), Mg I (lambda 5175 Angstroms), and Na i (lambda 5894 Angstroms). This finding demonstrates that galaxies with relatively old stellar populations already existed when the universe was approximately 3 Gyr old, and that rest-frame color selection techniques can efficiently select them. We find an average age of 1.3(+0.1/−0.3) Gyr when fitting a simple stellar population to the entire stack. We confirm our previous result from medium-band photometry that the stellar age varies with the colors of quiescent galaxies: the reddest 80% of galaxies are dominated by metal lines and have a relatively old mean age of 1.6(+0.5/−0.4) Gyr, whereas the bluest (and brightest) galaxies have strong Balmer lines and a spectroscopic age of 0.9(+0.2/−0.1) Gyr. Although the spectrum is dominated by an evolved stellar population, we also find [O III] and Hβ emission. Interestingly, this emission is more centrally concentrated than the continuum with L(sub OIII) = 1.7 +/- 0.3 × 10(exp 40 erg s−1, indicating residual central star formation or nuclear activity.

Quiescent↗

DOE OSTI2020

Observational constraints on the multiphase nature of outflows using large spectroscopic surveys at z ∼ 0

ABSTRACT Mass outflow rates and loading factors are typically used to infer the quenching potential of galactic-scale outflows. However, these generally rely on observations of a single gas phase that can severely underestimate the total ejected gas mass. To address this, we use observations of high mass (≥1010 M⊙), normal star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 0 from the MaNGA, xCOLD GASS, xGASS, and ALFALFA surveys and a stacking of Na d, Hα, CO(1–0), and H i 21 cm tracers with the aim of placing constraints on an average, total mass outflow rate, and loading factor. We find detections of outflows in both neutral and ionized gas tracers, with no detections in stacks of molecular or atomic gas emission. Modelling of the outflow components reveals velocities of |vNa d| = 131 km s−1 and |vHα| = 439 km s−1 and outflow rates of $\dot{M}_{\rm {Na\,\small{D}}}$ = 7.55 M⊙ yr−1 and $\dot{M}_{\text{H}\alpha }$ = 0.10 M⊙ yr−1 for neutral and ionized gas, respectively. Assuming a molecular/atomic outflow velocity of 200 km s−1, we derive upper limits of $\dot{M}_{\text{CO}}\lt 19.43$ M⊙ yr−1 and $\dot{M}_{\rm {H\,\small {I}}}\lt $ 26.72 M⊙ yr−1 for the molecular and atomic gas, respectively. Combining the detections and upper limits, we find average total outflow rates of $\dot{M}_{\text{tot}}\lesssim$27 M⊙ yr−1 and a loading factor of ηtot ≲ 6.39, with molecular gas likely contributing ≲72 per cent of the total mass outflow rate, and neutral and ionized gas contributing ∼28 and <1 per cent, respectively. Our results suggest that, to first order, a degree of quenching via ejective feedback could occur in normal galaxies when considering all gas phases, even in the absence of an active galactic nucleus.

Roberts-Borsani, G. W.↗

DOE OSTI2020

The completed SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: BAO and RSD measurements from the anisotropic power spectrum of the quasar sample between redshift 0.8 and 2.2

ABSTRACT We measure the clustering of quasars of the final data release (DR16) of eBOSS. The sample contains $343\, 708$ quasars between redshifts 0.8 ≤ z ≤ 2.2 over $4699\, \mathrm{deg}^2$. We calculate the Legendre multipoles (0,2,4) of the anisotropic power spectrum and perform a BAO and a Full-Shape (FS) analysis at the effective redshift zeff = 1.480. The errors include systematic errors that amount to 1/3 of the statistical error. The systematic errors comprise a modelling part studied using a blind N-body mock challenge and observational effects studied with approximate mocks to account for various types of redshift smearing and fibre collisions. For the BAO analysis, we measure the transverse comoving distance DM(zeff)/rdrag = 30.60 ± 0.90 and the Hubble distance DH(zeff)/rdrag = 13.34 ± 0.60. This agrees with the configuration space analysis, and the consensus yields: DM(zeff)/rdrag = 30.69 ± 0.80 and DH(zeff)/rdrag = 13.26 ± 0.55. In the FS analysis, we fit the power spectrum using a model based on Regularised Perturbation Theory, which includes redshift space distortions and the Alcock–Paczynski effect. The results are DM(zeff)/rdrag = 30.68 ± 0.90 and DH(zeff)/rdrag = 13.52 ± 0.51 and we constrain the linear growth rate of structure f(zeff)σ8(zeff) = 0.476 ± 0.047. Our results agree with the configuration space analysis. The consensus analysis of the eBOSS quasar sample yields: DM(zeff)/rdrag = 30.21 ± 0.79, DH(zeff)/rdrag = 3.23 ± 0.47, and f(zeff)σ8(zeff) = 0.462 ± 0.045 and is consistent with a flat ΛCDM cosmological model using Planck results.

Neveux, Richard↗

DOE OSTI2020

The Completed SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: exploring the halo occupation distribution model for emission line galaxies

We study the modelling of the halo occupation distribution (HOD) for the eBOSS DR16 emission line galaxies (ELGs). Motivated by previous theoretical and observational studies, we consider different physical effects that can change how ELGs populate haloes. We explore the shape of the average HOD, the fraction of satellite galaxies, their probability distribution function (PDF), and their density and velocity profiles. Our baseline HOD shape was fitted to a semi-analytical model of galaxy formation and evolution, with a decaying occupation of central ELGs at high halo masses. We consider Poisson and sub/super-Poissonian PDFs for satellite assignment. We model both Navarro–Frenk–White and particle profiles for satellite positions, also allowing for decreased concentrations. We model velocities with the virial theorem and particle velocity distributions. Additionally, we introduce a velocity bias and a net infall velocity. We study how these choices impact the clustering statistics while keeping the number density and bias fixed to that from eBOSS ELGs. The projected correlation function, w p , captures most of the effects from the PDF and satellites profile. The quadrupole, ξ 2 , captures most of the effects coming from the velocity profile. We find that the impact of the mean HOD shape is subdominant relative to the rest of choices. Here, we fit the clustering of the eBOSS DR16 ELG data under different combinations of the above assumptions. The catalogues presented here have been analysed in companion papers, showing that eBOSS RSD+BAO measurements are insensitive to the details of galaxy physics considered here. These catalogues are made publicly available.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Line confusion in spectroscopic surveys and its possible effects: shifts in Baryon Acoustic Oscillations position

ABSTRACT Roman Space Telescope will survey about 17 million emission-line galaxies over a range of redshifts. Its main targets are Hα emission-line galaxies at low redshifts (z < 2) and [O iii] emission-line galaxies at high redshifts (z > 2). The Roman Space Telescope will estimate the redshift of these galaxies with single-line identification. This suggests that other emission-line galaxies may be misidentified as the main targets. In particular, it is hard to distinguish between the H β and [O iii] lines as the two lines are close in wavelength and hence the photometric information may not be sufficient to separate them reliably. Misidentifying H β emitter as [O iii] emitter will cause a shift in the inferred radial position of the galaxy by approximately 90 Mpc h−1. This length-scale is similar to the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) scale and could shift and broaden the BAO peak, possibly introduce errors in determining the BAO peak position. We qualitatively describe the effect of this new systematic and further quantify it with a light-cone simulation with emission-line galaxies. Our results show a systematic shift in the recovered isotropic BAO positions that depends on the percentage of interlopers (percentage of ${\rm H}\,\beta$) in the sample. The systematic shift can be as large as $0.1{-}0.3\,\mathrm{ per}\,\mathrm{ cent} \, {\rm x}\, {{\%}}{\rm H}\,\beta$ for analysis performed at redshifts z = 1.3−1.9.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Cold gas mass measurements for the era of large optical spectroscopic surveys

ABSTRACT Gas plays an important role in many processes in galaxy formation and evolution, but quantifying the importance of gas has been hindered by the challenge to measure gas masses for large samples of galaxies. Data sets of direct atomic and molecular gas measurements are sufficient to establish simple scaling relations, but often not large enough to quantify three-parameter relations, or second-order dependences. As an alternative approach, we derive here indirect cold gas measurements from optical emission lines using photoionization models for galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) main galaxy sample and the PHANGS-MUSE survey. We calibrate the gas surface density measurements using xCOLD GASS and PHANGS-ALMA molecular gas measurements to ensure that our measurements are reliable. We demonstrate the importance of taking into account the scale dependence of the relation between optical depth (τ V ) and gas surface density (Σ gas ) and provide a general prescription to estimate Σ gas from τ V , metallicity, and the dust-to-metal ratio, at any arbitrary physical resolution. To demonstrate that the indirect cold gas masses are accurate enough to quantify the role of gas in galaxy evolution, we study the mass–metallicity relation of SDSS galaxies and show that as a third parameter gas mass is better than star formation rate at reducing the scatter of the relation, as predicted by models and simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

The completed SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: cosmological implications from multitracer BAO analysis with galaxies and voids

We construct cosmic void catalogues with the dive void finder upon SDSS BOSS DR12 and eBOSS DR16 galaxy samples with BAO reconstruction, and perform a joint BAO analysis using different types of galaxies and the corresponding voids. The BAO peak is evident for the galaxy–galaxy, galaxy–void, and void–void correlation functions of all data sets, including the ones cross-correlating LRG and ELG samples. Two multitracer BAO fitting schemes are tested, one combining the galaxy and void correlation functions with a weight applied to voids, and the other using a single BAO dilation parameter for all clustering measurements. Both methods produce consistent results with mock catalogues, and on average ~10 per cent improvements of the BAO statistical uncertainties are observed for all samples, compared to the results from galaxies alone. By combining the clustering of galaxies and voids, the uncertainties of BAO measurements from the SDSS data are reduced by 5–15 per cent, yielding 0.9 per cent, 0.8 per cent, 1.1 per cent, 2.3 per cent, and 2.9 per cent constraints on the distance $D_{_{\rm V}}(z)$, at effective redshifts 0.38, 0.51, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.85, respectively. When combined with BAO measurements from SDSS MGS, QSO, and Lyα samples, as well as the BBN results, we obtain $H_0 = 67.58 \pm 0.91\, {\rm km}\, {\rm s}^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$, Ω m = 0.290 ± 0.015, and $\Omega _\Lambda h^2 = 0.3241 \pm 0.0079$ in the flat-ΛCDM framework, where the 1σ uncertainties are around 6 per cent, 6 per cent, and 17 per cent smaller respectively, compared to constraints from the corresponding anisotropic BAO measurements without voids and LRG–ELG cross-correlations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗