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At least 19 records

Galaxy Evolution Spectroscopic Explorer (GESE): Science Rationale, Optical Design, and Telescope Architecture

One of the key goals of NASA’s astrophysics program is to answer the question: How did galaxies evolve into the spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies that we see today? We describe a space mission concept called Galaxy Evolution Spectroscopic Explorer (GESE) to help address this question by making a large ultraviolet spectroscopic survey of galaxies at a redshift, z approximately 1 (look-back time of approximately 8 billion years). GESE is a 1.5-m space telescope with an near-ultraviolet (NUV) multi-object slit spectrograph covering the spectral range, 0.2-0.4 micrometers (0.1-0.2 micrometers as emitted by galaxies at a redshift, z approximately 1) at a spectral resolution of delta lambda=6 A.

elliptical↗

Pre-phase A: Development of a far-ultraviolet photometric- and spectroscopic-survey small-explorer experiment

We propose to perform a far ultraviolet photometric and spectroscopic survey covering the lambda lambda 1300-2000 band with a sensitivity comparable to that of the Palomar Sky Survey. This survey will proceed in three phases: an all-sky survey in three bands to 18-19.5(sup m), deep surveys of selected targets of interest in the same bands to 21-22(sup m), and a spectroscopic survey of 2 percent of the sky to 18(sup m) with a resolution of 3-20A. This mission, the Joint Ultraviolet Nightsky Observer (JUNO), can be performed by a Small-Explorer-class satellite.

Martin, Christopher↗

Spectroscopic survey of the far-ultraviolet /1160-1700 A/ emissions of Capella

A far-ultraviolet spectral survey of Capella (Alpha Aur, G5 III + G0 III) has been obtained using a highly sensitive rocketborne spectrograph with a microchannel plate detector. The spectral distribution is very similar to that of the sun; however, if the line surface fluxes are due to the primary (G5 III), then, except for Ly-alpha, they are about an order of magnitude greater than those of the quiet sun

Vitz, R. C.↗

FUSE Observations of O VI Absorption in the Local Interstellar Medium

We report the results of an initial Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) survey of O VI Lambda 1032 absorption along the lines of sight to eleven nearby white dwarfs, ten of which are within the Local Bubble (LB; d < or approximately equal 100 pc). A goal of this survey is to investigate the possible formation of O VI in the conductive interfaces between cool (about 10(exp 4) K) clouds immersed in the presumably hot (10(exp 6) K) gas within the LB. This mechanism is often invoked to explain the widespread presence of 0 VI throughout the Galactic disk. We find no 0 VI absorption toward two stars, and the column densities along three additional sight lines are quite low; N(O VI) about 5 x 10(exp 13)/sq cm. In several directions, we observe rather broad, shallow absorption with N(O VI) about 1 - 2 x 10(exp 13)/sq cm. Models of conductive interfaces predict narrow profiles with N(OVI) > or about equal to 10(exp 13)/sq cm per interface, in the absence of a significant transverse magnetic field. Hence, our observations of weak 0 VI absorption indicate that conduction is being quenched, possibly by non-radial magnetic fields. Alternatively, the gas within the LB may not be hot. Breitschwerdt & Schmutzler have proposed a model for the LB in which an explosive event within a dense cloud created rapid expansion and adiabatic cooling, resulting in a cavity containing gas with a kinetic temperature of T about 50,000 K, but with an ionization state characteristic of much hotter gas. This model has a number of attractive features, but appears to predict significantly more O VI than we observe.

Oegerle, W. R.↗

Weighing the Low-Redshift Lyman-alpha Forest

In 2003-2004, our FUSE research group prepared several major surveys of the amount of baryonic matter in the intergalactic medium (IGM), using the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite. These surveys include measurements of the Lyman-alpha absorption line of neutral hydrogen (H I), the far-ultraviolet (1032,1038 Angstrom) doublet of highly ionized oxygen ( O VI), the higher Lyman-series lines (Ly-beta, Ly-gamma, etc) of H I, and the 977 Angstrom line of c III. As an overview, our FUSE spectroscopic studies, taken together with data from the Hubble Space Telescope, show that approximately 30% of the normal matter is contained in intergalactic hydrogen gas clouds (the Lyman-alpha forest). Another 5-10% resides in hotter gas at temperatures of 10(exp 5) to 10(exp 6) K, visible in 0 VI and C III absorption. Along with the matter attributed to galaxies, we have now accounted for approximately HALF of all the baryonic matter in the universe. Where is the other half? That matter my exist in even hotter gas, invisible through the ultraviolet absorption lines, but perhaps detectable through X-ray absorption lines of more highly ionized oxygen and neon.

Shull, Mike↗

Ultraviolet Spectra of Two Magnetic White Dwarfs and Ultraviolet Spectra of Subluminous Objects Found in the Kiso Schmidt Survey

Low resolution International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spectroscopic observations of two magnetic white dwarfs BPM25114 and K813-14 were obtained using both the SWP and LWP cameras. The first object has an observed magnetic field of 4 x 10(7) Gauss and the second has one of 3 x 10(7) Gauss. Both objects have overall spectral energy distributions appropriate for cool DA white dwarfs with T(eff) near 10,000 K and accordingly show strong lambda lambda 1400 and 1600 absorption in their spectra. Compared to non-magnetic DA white dwarfs of comparable effective temperature, there are some differences in the profiles, presumably produced by the magnetic fields in these objects. In addition, the ultraviolet spectra of a number of hot subluminous stars in the Kiso Schmidt survey were observed.

Wegner, Gary A.↗

Contamination control approach for the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite instrumentation

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer will perform an all-sky survey and spectroscopic observations over the wavelength range 80-900A. Hydrocarbon and particulate contamination will potentially affect the throughput and signal to noise ratio of the signal detected by the instruments. A witness sample program is here used to investigate and monitor the effects of specific contaminants on EUV reflectivity. Witness samples were intentionally contaminated with thin layers of pump oil. An oil layer 150 A thick was applied and found to evaporate over 8 hours. The EUV reflectivity and imaging properties were then measured and found to be acceptable for grazing angles between 5 and 30 deg. In a second test, layers 500 A thick were deposited and then allowed to evaporate in vacuum; once the oil had evaporated to at least 350 A, the final sample reflectivity was degraded less than 10 percent, but the image was degraded severely by scattering. An outline of the contamination control program is also presented.

Mrowka, Stan↗

End-to-End Assessment of a Large Aperture Segmented Ultraviolet Optical Infrared (UVOIR) Telescope Architecture

Key challenges of a future large aperture, segmented Ultraviolet Optical Infrared (UVOIR) Telescope capable of performing a spectroscopic survey of hundreds of Exoplanets will be sufficient stability to achieve 10^-10 contrast measurements and sufficient throughput and sensitivity for high yield Exo-Earth spectroscopic detection. Our team has collectively assessed an optimized end to end architecture including a high throughput coronagraph capable of working with a segmented telescope, a cost-effective and heritage based stable segmented telescope, a control architecture that minimizes the amount of new technologies, and an Exo-Earth yield assessment to evaluate potential performance. These efforts are combined through integrated modeling, coronagraph evaluations, and Exo-Earth yield calculations to assess the potential performance of the selected architecture. In addition, we discusses the scalability of this architecture to larger apertures and the technological tall poles to enabling it.

Feinberg, Lee↗

End-to-End Assessment of a Large Aperture Segmented Ultraviolet Optical Infrared (UVOIR) Telescope Architecture

Key challenges of a future large aperture, segmented Ultraviolet Optical Infrared (UVOIR) Telescope capable of performing a spectroscopic survey of hundreds of Exoplanets will be sufficient stability to achieve 10-10 contrast measurements and sufficient throughput and sensitivity for high yield Exo-Earth spectroscopic detection. Our team has collectively assessed an optimized end to end architecture including a high throughput coronagraph capable of working with a segmented telescope, a cost-effective and heritage based stable segmented telescope, a control architecture that minimizes the amount of new technologies, and an Exo-Earth yield assessment to evaluate potential performance.

Feinberg, Lee↗

A Snapshot Survey of AGNS/QSOS for Intergalactic Medium Studies

This spectroscopic program with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) program was designed to identify ultraviolet-bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) for follow-up spectroscopy with FUSE and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). All of the FUSE spectra obtained for this snapshot program (FUSE identifier D808) have been examined for data quality and flux levels. As expected, only a small number of objects observed (4/19) have flux levels suitable for follow-up spectroscopy. A portion of our effort in this program was devoted to comparing the spectra obtained in these snapshot exposures to others to determine if the spectra could be used for detailed scientific analyses. The resulting effort demonstrated that some of the brighter sources are relatively stable (non- variable), as determined through comparisons of the spectra at multiple epochs. For these brighter sources, the exposure times are simply too short to perform meaningful detailed analyses. Comparisons of the absorption lines in these spectra with those of higher signal-to-noise spectra, like those of PG1116+215 and H1821+643, showed that many of the lines of interest could not be characterized adequately at the S/N levels reached in the short snapshot exposures. As a result, the FUSE D808 observations are suitable only for their original purpose - flux determination. Several bright objects identified as part of this program include: HE0153-4520, flux >2x10E-14 erg cm^-2s^-1 at 1000 Angstroms IRASF04250-5718, flux >4x10E-14 erg cm^-2s^-1 A^-1 at 1000 Angstroms RXJ2154.1-4414, flux > 1.6x10E-14 erg cm^-2s^-1 A^-1 at 1000 Angstroms S50716+714, flux >2.5x10E-14 erg cm^-2s^-1 A^-1 at 1000 Angstroms. All of these objects have been incorporated into the primary target lists for the HST Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Identifying such objects for follow-up observations with HST/COS was the primary goal of this program, so the program wa successful. In addition, some of the objects were included in proposed target lists for future FUSE observations. Given that the state of the FUSE observatory is uncertain at this time, it is unknown whether anyjof htese objects will be re-observed with FUSE. The results of this program have been communicated to the astronomical community via email and by word of mouth since the resuts in and of themselves do not warrant publication in an astronomical journal. However, these lists will be maintained for future observers. The data are archived in the Multi-Mission Archive at the Space Telescioe Science INstitute.

Sonneborn, George↗

Evolution of the gaseous content of the universe

Results of a new spectroscopic survey for damped Ly-alpha absorption systems conducted at ultraviolet wavelengths are combined with those of previous surveys conducted at optical wavelengths in order to examine the evolution of the gaseous content of the universe at z between 0 and 3.5. Implications for scenarios of galaxy formation and evolution are discussed.

Lanzetta, Kenneth M.↗

The stars with H-alpha missing

During the course of a survey for ultraviolet-excess objects, a group of objects were found that spectroscopically resemble the subdwarf B stars, except for variable strength H-alpha absorption. The H-alpha line can have the nominal strength predicted from the other Balmer lines, or it can be completely absent. Observations reveal significant changes in the H-alpha profile on both a night-to-night and month-to-month basis. IUE observations of three stars reveal few features in the ultraviolet region and, when combined with optical data, allow a rough determination of photospheric temperatures. A binary model is proposed for these systems, and the ramifications of the objects found here and in the Palomar-Green survey are discussed.

Downes, Ronald A.↗

Far-ultraviolet spectrophotometry of two very hot O type subdwarfs

As a result of a spectroscopic survey of stars classified as nonemission OB+, Drilling (1983) has detected 12 new subluminous O stars. It was found that these stars are the hottest known O type subdwarfs. The effective temperatures of the stars are 60,000 K or higher. It has been possible to observe two of these stars with Voyager 1, taking into account LSE 21 and LS IV +10.9 deg. LSE 21 is one of the hottest of the new subdwarfs, with an effective temperature of at least 100,000 K. The optical spectrum indicates a hydrogen-rich atmosphere of high surface gravity. LX IV +10.9 deg is one of the cooler objects with an effective temperature of 65,000 K. The optical spectrum indicates an extremely helium-rich atmosphere and a somewhat lower surface gravity than LSE 21. The Voyager 1 observations confirm the temperature scale set up by Schoenberger and Drilling (1984) for the hottest O type subdwarfs.

Drilling, J. S.↗

Revived STIS. II. Properties of Stars in the Next Generation Spectral Library

Spectroscopic surveys of galaxies at high redshift will bring the rest-frame ultraviolet into view of large, ground-based telescopes. The UV-blue spectral region is rich in diagnostics, but these diagnostics have not yet been calibrated in terms of the properties of the responsible stellar population(s). Such calibrations are now possible with Hubble's Next Generation Spectral Library (NGSL). The NGSL contains UV-optical spectra (0.2 - 1.0 microns) of 374 stars having a wide range in temperature, luminosity, and metallicity. We will describe our work to derive basic stellar parameters from NGSL spectra using modern model spectra and to use these stellar parameters to develop UV-blue spectral diagnostics.

Heap, Sara R.↗

The KPD survey for galactic plane ultraviolet-excess objects Space densities of white dwarfs and subdwarfs

A survey for ultraviolet-excess objects has been performed for over about 1000 sq deg of the Galactic plane. Photographic blue and ultraviolet plates were obtained to select ultraviolet-excess candidates, and spectroscopic observations were used to determine the nature of those objects. Over 70 white dwarfs and subdwarfs were identified from the survey plates, and these objects were analyzed statistically to determine scale heights and space densities. The sample was complete to B = 15.3 mag, with the space density of white dwarfs for Mv of less than 12.25 equal to 0.72 + or 0.25/1000 cu pc, slightly higher than that from the Palomar-Green survey. The average absolute magnitude determined for both the subdwarf O and the subdwarf B stars was considerably fainter than previous determinations, while the scale height for the subdwarfs was lower than earlier suggested values. The space density for the subdwarf O stars is about 7 x 10 to the -7th/cu pc, while the value for the subdwarf B stars is about 2 x 10 to the -6th/cu pc, both values considerably higher than previous estimates. The space densities can be used to place evolutionary constraints on these objects.

Downes, R. A.↗

The FUSE Survey of 0 VI in the Galactic Halo

This paper summarizes the results of the Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) program to study 0 VI in the Milky Way halo. Spectra of 100 extragalactic objects and two distant halo stars are analyzed to obtain measures of O VI absorption along paths through the Milky Way thick disk/halo. Strong O VI absorption over the velocity range from -100 to 100 km/s reveals a widespread but highly irregular distribution of O VI, implying the existence of substantial amounts of hot gas with T approx. 3 x 10(exp 5) K in the Milky Way thick disk/halo. The overall distribution of O VI is not well described by a symmetrical plane-parallel layer of patchy O VI absorption. The simplest departure from such a model that provides a reasonable fit to the observations is a plane-parallel patchy absorbing layer with an average O VI mid-plane density of n(sub 0)(O VI) = 1.7 x 10(exp -2)/cu cm, a scale height of approx. 2.3 kpc, and a approx. 0.25 dex excess of O VI in the northern Galactic polar region. The distribution of O VI over the sky is poorly correlated with other tracers of gas in the halo, including low and intermediate velocity H I, Ha emission from the warm ionized gas at approx. l0(exp 4) K, and hot X-ray emitting gas at approx. l0(exp 6) K . The O VI has an average velocity dispersion, b approx. 60 km/s and standard deviation of 15 km/s. Thermal broadening alone cannot explain the large observed profile widths. A combination of models involving the radiative cooling of hot fountain gas, the cooling of supernova bubbles in the halo, and the turbulent mixing of warm and hot halo gases is required to explain the presence of O VI and other highly ionized atoms found in the halo. The preferential venting of hot gas from local bubbles and superbubbles into the northern Galactic polar region may explain the enhancement of O VI in the North.

Sonneborn, George↗

Making Sense of the Rest-Frame UV Spectra of Galaxies

Spectroscopic surveys of galaxies at z=1 or more will bring the rest-frame ultraviolet into view of large, ground-based telescopes. This spectral region is rich in diagnostics, but these diagnostics have not yet been calibrated in terms of the properties of the responsible stellar population(s). Such calibrations are now possible with Hubble's Next Generation Spectral Library (NGSL). The NGSL contains UV-optical spectra (0.2- 1.0 microns) of 378 stars having a wide range in temperature, luminosity, and metallicity. Because of the broad wavelength coverage of NGSL spectra, it is possible to derive the basic stellar parameters from the optical spectral region (0.35 - 1.0 microns) and use them to calibrate UV spectral diagnostics. In this talk, I will describe the NGSL and our preliminary calibration of UV spectral diagnostics, focusing on the MgII and MgI resonance lines and the 2640-Angstrom break.

Heap, Sara R.↗

CLASSY IV. Exploring UV Diagnostics of the Interstellar Medium in Local High- z Analogs at the Dawn of the JWST Era

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) Legacy Archive Spectroscopic SurveY (CLASSY) provides the first high resolution spectral catalog of 45 local high-z analogs in the ultraviolet (UV; 1200–2000 Å) to investigate their stellar and gas properties. Here we present a toolkit of UV interstellar medium (ISM) diagnostics, analyzing the main emission lines of CLASSY spectra (N IV] λλ1483,87, C IV λλ1548,51, He IIλ1640, O III]λλ1661,6, Si III] λλ1883,92, C III] λ1907,9). Specifically, our aim is to provide accurate diagnostics for the reddening E(B - V), electron density n e , electron temperature T e , metallicity 12+log(O/H), and ionization parameter log(U), taking the different ISM ionization zones into account. We calibrate our UV toolkit using well-known optical diagnostics, analyzing archival optical spectra for all CLASSY targets. We find that UV density diagnostics estimate n e values that are ~1–2 dex higher (e.g., n e (C III] λλ1907,9) ~ 10 4 cm -3 ) than those inferred from their optical counterparts (e.g., n e ([S II]λλ6717,31) ~ 10 2 cm -3 ; n e ([Ar IV]λλ4714,41) ~ 10 3 cm -3 ). T e derived from the hybrid ratio [O III] λ1666/λ5007 proves to be reliable, implying differences in determining 12+log(O/H) compared to the optical counterpart O III] λ4363/[O III] λ5007 within ~ ±0.3 dex. We also investigate the relation between the stellar and gas E(B - V), finding consistent values at high specific star formation rates (sSFRs; log sSFR ≳ -8 yr -1 ), while at low sSFRs we confirmed an excess of dust attenuation in the gas. Finally, we investigate UV line ratios and equivalent widths to provide correlations with 12+log (O/H) and log(U), but note that there are degeneracies between the two. With this suite of UV-based diagnostics, we illustrate the pivotal role CLASSY plays in understanding the chemical and physical properties of high-z systems that JWST can observe in the rest-frame UV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗