2,421 research outputs found
Evidence for a Young Stellar Population in NGC 5018
Two absorption line indices, Ca II and Hdelta/FeI4045, measured from high
resolution spectra are used with evolutionary synthesis models to verify the
presence of a young stellar population in NGC 5018. The derived age of this
population is about ~2.8 Gyr with a metallicity roughly solar and it completely
dominates the integrated light of the galaxy near 4000 A.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures (figs 3-7 are color figures), to be published in
the May 2000 issue of the Astrophysical Journa
Spectroscopic evolution of dusty starburst galaxies
By using a one-zone chemical and spectrophotometric evolution model of a disk
galaxy undergoing a dusty starburst, we investigate, numerically, the optical
spectroscopic properties in order to explore galaxy evolution in distant
clusters. We adopt an assumption that the degree of dust extinction
(represented by ) depends on the ages of starburst populations in such a
way that younger stars have larger (originally referred to as selective
dust extinction by Poggianti & Wu 2000). In particular, we investigate how the
time evolution of the equivalent widths of [OII]3727 and H is
controlled by the adopted age dependence. This leads to three main results: (1)
If a young stellar population (with the age of yr) is more
heavily obscured by dust than an old one ( yr), the galaxy can show
an ``e(a)'' spectrum characterized by strong H absorption and
relatively modest [OII] emission. (2) A dusty starburst galaxy with an e(a)
spectrum can evolve into a poststarburst galaxy with an a+k (or k+a) spectrum
0.2 Gyr after the starburst and then into a passive one with a k-type spectrum
1 Gyr after the starburst. This result clearly demonstrates an evolutionary
link between galaxies with different spectral classes (i.e., e(b), e(a), a+k,
k+a, and k). (3) A dusty starburst galaxy can show an a+k or k+a spectrum even
in the dusty starburst phase if the age-dependence of dust extinction is rather
weak, i.e., if young starburst populations with different ages (
yr) are uniformly obscured by dust.Comment: 27 pages 12 figures,2001,ApJ,in pres
A Dynamical Study of Optically Selected Distant Clusters
We present a programme of spectroscopic observations of galaxies in a sample
of optically-selected clusters taken from the catalogue of Couch et al (1991).
Previous ROSAT observations of these clusters have shown them to have lower
X-ray luminosities, given their optical richness, than might be expected on the
basis of local samples. In the present paper we extend this work by determining
velocity dispersions of a subsample of the clusters. We confirm the dynamical
reality of all but one of the original sample, and find velocity dispersions
comparable with present-day clusters of equivalent comoving space density.
Thus, in the context of the relation for present-day clusters,
there is evidence for a higher velocity dispersion at fixed X-ray luminosity.
A key question is whether the high velocity dispersions are indicative of the
gravitational potential. If they are, the X-ray luminosities measured in Bower
et al., 1994 (Paper I), would then imply an implausibly low efficiency of X-ray
generation. Alternatively, the discrepancy could be explained if the clusters
were systems of lower virial temperature, in which the apparent velocity
dispersion is inflated by an infalling, unrelaxed halo. This might result
either from an increase with redshift in the infall rate for clusters, or from
the preferential selection of clusters embedded in filaments oriented along the
line of sight. Since clusters with similar properties can be found in local
optically selected catalogues, we suggest that the latter explanation is more
likely.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 13 pages plain TeX (not Latex).
Uses macro files psfig.tex and mn.tex. Figures and tables included; finding
charts available from http://star-www.dur.ac.uk/~rgb
Optical Spectral Signatures of Dusty Starburst Galaxies
We analyse the optical spectral properties of the complete sample of Very
Luminous Infrared Galaxies presented by Wu et al. (1998a,b) and we find a high
fraction (~50 %) of spectra showing both a strong H_delta line in absorption
and relatively modest [OII] emission (e(a) spectra). The e(a) signature has
been proposed as an efficient method to identify dusty starburst galaxies and
we study the star formation activity and the nature of these galaxies, as well
as the effects of dust on their observed properties. We examine their emission
line characteristics, in particular their [OII]/H_alpha ratio, and we find this
to be greatly affected by reddening. A search for AGN spectral signatures
reveals that the e(a)'s are typically HII/LINER galaxies. We compare the star
formation rates derived from the FIR luminosities with the estimates based on
the H_alpha line and find that the values obtained from the optical emission
lines are a factor of 10-70 (H_alpha) and 20-140 ([OII]) lower than the FIR
estimates (50-300 M_sun yr^-1). We then study the morphological properties of
the e(a) galaxies, looking for a near companion or signs of a
merger/interaction. In order to explore the evolution of the e(a) population,
we present an overview of the available observations of e(a)'s in different
environments both at low and high redshift. Finally, we discuss the role of
dust in determining the e(a) spectral properties and we propose a scenario of
selective obscuration in which the extinction decreases with the stellar age.Comment: 26 pages, Latex, including 7 postscript figures, accepted for
publication in the Astrophysical Journa
Observational Evidence for the Co-evolution of Galaxy Mergers, Quasars, and the Blue/Red Galaxy Transition
We compile a number of observations to estimate the time-averaged rate of
formation or buildup of red sequence galaxies, as a function of mass and
redshift. Comparing this with the mass functions of mergers and quasar hosts,
and independently comparing their clustering properties as a function of
redshift, we find that these populations trace the same mass distribution, with
similar evolution, at redshifts 0<z<~1.5. Knowing one of the quasar, merger, or
elliptical mass/luminosity functions, it is possible to predict the others.
Allowing for greater model dependence, we compare the rate of early-type
buildup with the implied merger and quasar triggering rates as a function of
mass and redshift and find agreement. Over this redshift range, observed merger
fractions can account for the entire bright quasar luminosity function and
buildup of the red sequence at all but the highest masses at low redshift
(>~10^11 M_solar at z<~0.3) where 'dry' mergers appear to dominate. This
supports a necessary prediction of theories where mergers between gas-rich
galaxies produce ellipticals with an associated phase of quasar activity, after
which the remnant becomes red. These populations trace a similar characteristic
transition mass, possibly reflecting the mass above which the elliptical
population is mostly (>~50%) assembled at a given redshift, which increases
with redshift over the observed range in a manner consistent with suggestions
that cosmic downsizing may apply to red galaxy assembly as well as star
formation. These mass distributions as a function of redshift do not uniformly
trace the all/red/blue galaxy population, ruling out models in which quasar
activity is generically associated with star formation or is long lived in
'old' systems.Comment: 24 pages, 17 figures. Accepted to ApJ. Substantially revised and
expanded to match published versio
A Survey of Ramp and Stair Use among Older Adults
Forty-three community-dwelling adults aged 57 to 95 participated in survey exploring characteristics of ramp use by older ambulant people. Twenty-three respondents said they ascended ramps instead of stairs most of the time, and 14 said they ascended ramps some of the time. Similar numbers were reported for descent. Overall, respondents felt less fatigued, less likely to trip, and more comfortable when using ramps rather than stairs for ascending one level. When descending one level, balance, tripping, and comfort were the strongest determinants of ramp use. Respondents indicated that descent was more problematic, particularly in regard to balance and tripping. The presence of handrails often determined the choice of route. Results from this survey provided the basis for an experiment evaluating the abilities of older people to traverse ramps of various slopes. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines implicitly assume that a ramp accommodates everyone. This study indicates that entrances should have both ramps and stairs.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline
GMRT Detection of HI 21 cm-line Absorption from the Peculiar Galaxy in Abell 2125
Using the recently completed Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope, we have
detected the HI 21 cm-line absorption from the peculiar galaxy C153 in the
galaxy cluster Abell 2125. The HI absorption is at a redshift of 0.2533, with a
peak optical depth of 0.36. The full width at half minimum of the absorption
line is 100 km/s. The estimated column density of atomic Hydrogen is
0.7e22(Ts/100K) per sq. cm. The HI absorption is redshifted by ~ 400 km/s
compared to the [OIII] emission line from this system. We attribute this to an
in-falling cold gas, or to an out-flowing ionised gas, or to a combination of
both as a consequence of tidal interactions of C153 with either a cluster
galaxy or the cluster potential.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, uses jaa.sty (included
Spectroscopic Observations of Optically Selected Clusters of Galaxies from the Palomar Distant Cluster Survey
We have conducted a redshift survey of sixteen cluster candidates from the
Palomar Distant Cluster Survey (PDCS) to determine both the density of PDCS
clusters and the accuracy of the estimated redshifts presented in the PDCS
catalog (Postman et. al. 1996). We find that the matched-filter redshift
estimate presented in the PDCS has an error sigma_z = 0.06 in the redshift
range 0.1 < z < 0.35 based on eight cluster candidates with three or more
concordant galaxy redshifts.
We measure the low redshift (0.1 < z < 0.35) space density of PDCS clusters
to be 31.3^{+30.5}_{-17.1} * E-06 h^3 Mpc^-3 (68% confidence limits for a
Poisson distribution) for Richness Class 1 systems. We find a tentative space
density of 10.4^{+23.4}_{-8.4}* E-06 h^3 Mpc^-3 for Richness Class 2 clusters.
These densities compare favorably with those found for the whole of the PDCS
and support the finding that the space density of clusters in the PDCS is a
factor of ~5 above that of clusters in the Abell catalog (Abell 1958; Abell,
Corwin, and Olowin 1989). These new space density measurements were derived as
independently as possible from the original PDCS analysis and therefore,
demonstrate the robustness of the original work. Based on our survey, we
conclude that the PDCS matched-filter algorithm is successful in detecting real
clusters and in estimating their true redshifts in the redshift range we
surveyed.Comment: 23 pages with 4 figures and 3 seperate tables. To be published in the
November Issue of the Astronomical Journa
Mid-Infrared Emission from E+A Galaxies in the Coma Cluster
We have used ISO to observe at 12m seven E+A galaxies plus an additional
emission line galaxy, all in the Coma cluster. E+A galaxies lacking narrow
emission lines have 2.2m to 12m flux density ratios or limits similar
to old stellar populations (typical of early-type galaxies). Only galaxies with
emission lines have enhanced 12m flux density. Excess 12m emission is
therefore correlated with the presence of on-going star formation or an active
galactic nucleus (AGN).
By comparing the current star formation rates with previous rates estimated
from the Balmer absorption features, we divide the galaxies into two groups:
those for which star formation has declined significantly following a dramatic
peak 1 Gyr ago; and those with a significant level of ongoing star
formation or/and an AGN. There is no strong difference in the spatial
distribution on the sky between these two groups. However, the first group has
systemic velocities above the mean cluster value and the second group below
that value. This suggests that the two groups differ kinematically.
Based on surveys of the Coma cluster in the radio, the IRAS sources, and
galaxies detected in H emission, we sum the far infrared luminosity
function of galaxies in the cluster. We find that star formation in late type
galaxies is probably the dominant component of the Coma cluster far infrared
luminosity. The presence of significant emission from intracluster dust is not
yet firmly established. The member galaxies also account for most of the far
infrared output from nearby rich clusters in general.Comment: AAS Latex, accepted for publication in Ap
Age, Metallicity and Star Formation History of Cluster Galaxies at z~0.3 F
We investigate the color-magnitude distribution in the rich cluster AC 118 at
z=0.31. The sample is selected by the photometric redshift technique, allowing
to study a wide range of properties of stellar populations, and is complete in
the K-band, allowing to study these properties up to a given galaxy mass. We
use galaxy templates based on population synthesis models to translate the
physical properties of the stellar populations - formation epoch, time-scale of
star formation, and metallicity - into observed magnitudes and colors. In this
way we show that a sharp luminosity-metallicity relation is inferred without
any assumption on the galaxy formation scenario (either monolithic or
hierarchical). Our data exclude significant differences in star formation
histories along the color-magnitude relation, and therefore confirm a pure
metallicity interpretation for its origin, with an early (z~5) formation epoch
for the bulk of stellar populations. The dispersion in the color-magnitude
diagram implies that fainter galaxies in our sample (K~18) ceased to form stars
as late as z~0.5, in agreement with the picture that these galaxies were
recently accreted into the cluster environment. The trend with redshift of the
total stellar mass shows that half of the luminous mass in AC 118 was already
formed at $z~2, but also that 20% of the stars formed at z<1.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures. ApJ in pres
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