317 research outputs found
The infrared luminosity function of galaxies at redshifts z=1 and z~2 in the GOODS fields
We present the rest-frame 8 micron luminosity function (LF) at redshifts z=1
and ~2, computed from Spitzer 24 micron-selected galaxies in the GOODS fields
over an area of 291 sq. arcmin. Using classification criteria based on X-ray
data and IRAC colours, we identify the AGN in our sample. The rest-frame 8
micron LF for star-forming galaxies at redshifts z=1 and ~2 have the same shape
as at z~0, but with a strong positive luminosity evolution. The number density
of star-forming galaxies with log_{10}(nu L_nu(8 micron))>11 increases by a
factor >250 from redshift z~0 to 1, and is basically the same at z=1 and ~2.
The resulting rest-frame 8 micron luminosity densities associated with star
formation at z=1 and ~2 are more than four and two times larger than at z~0,
respectively. We also compute the total rest-frame 8 micron LF for star-forming
galaxies and AGN at z~2 and show that AGN dominate its bright end, which is
well-described by a power-law. Using a new calibration based on Spitzer
star-forming galaxies at 0<z<0.6 and validated at higher redshifts through
stacking analysis, we compute the bolometric infrared (IR) LF for star-forming
galaxies at z=1 and ~2. We find that the respective bolometric IR luminosity
densities are (1.2+/-0.2) x 10^9 and (6.6^{+1.2}_{-1.0}) x 10^8 L_sun Mpc^{-3},
in agreement with previous studies within the error bars. At z~2, around 90% of
the IR luminosity density associated with star formation is produced by
luminous and ultraluminous IR galaxies (LIRG and ULIRG), with the two
populations contributing in roughly similar amounts. Finally, we discuss the
consistency of our findings with other existing observational results on galaxy
evolution.Comment: Accepted for publication in the ApJ. 33 pages, 15 figures. Uses
emulateap
Spitzer Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy of 70um-Selected Distant Luminous Infrared Galaxies
We present mid-infrared spectroscopy obtained with the Spitzer Space
Telescope of a sample of 11 optically faint, infrared luminous galaxies
selected from a Spitzer MIPS 70um imaging survey of the NDWFS Bootes field.
These are the first Spitzer IRS spectra presented of distant 70um-selected
sources. All the galaxies lie at redshifts 0.3<z<1.3 and have very large
infrared luminosities of L_IR~ 0.1-17 x 10^12 solar luminosities. Seven of the
galaxies exhibit strong emission features attributed to polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs). The average IRS spectrum of these sources is
characteristic of classical starburst galaxies, but with much larger infrared
luminosities. The PAH luminosities of L(7.7) ~ 0.4 - 7 x 10^11 solar
luminosities imply star formation rates of ~ 40 - 720 solar masses per year.
Four of the galaxies show deep 9.7um silicate absorption features and no
significant PAH emission features (6.2um equivalent widths < 0.03um). The large
infrared luminosities and low f70/f24 flux density ratios suggests that these
sources have AGN as the dominant origin of their large mid-infrared
luminosities, although deeply embedded but luminous starbursts cannot be ruled
out. If the absorbed sources are AGN-dominated, a significant fraction of all
far-infrared bright, optically faint sources may be dominated by AGN.Comment: 8 Pages, ApJ accepte
Dust Properties and Star-Formation Rates in Star-Forming Dwarf Galaxies
We have used the Spitzer Space Telescope to study the dust properties of a
sample of star-forming dwarf galaxies. The differences in the mid-infrared
spectral energy distributions for these galaxies which, in general, are low
metallicity systems, indicate differences in the physical properties, heating,
and/or distribution of the dust. Specifically, these galaxies have more hot
dust and/or very small grains and less PAH emission than either spiral or
higher luminosity starburst galaxies. As has been shown in previous studies,
there is a gradual decrease in PAH emission as a function of metallicity.
Because much of the energy from star formation in galaxies is re-radiated in
the mid-infrared, star-formation rate indicators based on both line and
continuum measurements in this wavelength range are coming into more common
usage. We show that the variations in the interstellar medium properties of
galaxies in our sample, as measured in the mid-infrared, result in over an
order of magnitude spread in the computed star-formation rates.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables, ApJ accepte
Spitzer Mid-to-Far-Infrared Flux Densities of Distant Galaxies
We study the infrared (IR) properties of high-redshift galaxies using deep
Spitzer 24, 70, and 160 micron data. Our primary interest is to improve the
constraints on the total IR luminosities, L(IR), of these galaxies. We combine
the Spitzer data in the southern Extended Chandra Deep Field with a
K-band-selected galaxy sample and photometric redshifts from the
Multiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile. We used a stacking analysis to measure
the average 70 and 160 micron flux densities of 1.5 < z < 2.5 galaxies as a
function of 24 micron flux density, X-ray activity, and rest-frame near-IR
color. Galaxies with 1.5 < z < 2.5 and S(24)=53-250 micro-Jy have L(IR) derived
from their average 24-160 micron flux densities within factors of 2-3 of those
derived from the 24 micron flux densities only. However, L(IR) derived from the
average 24-160 micron flux densities for galaxies with S(24) > 250 micro-Jy and
1.5 < z < 2.5 are lower than those derived using only the 24 micron flux
density by factors of 2-10. Galaxies with S(24) > 250 micro-Jy have S(70)/S(24)
flux ratios comparable to sources with X-ray detections or red rest-frame IR
colors, suggesting that warm dust possibly heated by AGN may contribute to the
high 24 micron emission. Based on the average 24-160 micron flux densities,
nearly all 24 micron-selected galaxies at 1.5 < z < 2.5 have L(IR) < 6 x 10^12
solar luminosities, which if attributed to star formation corresponds to < 1000
solar masses per year. This suggests that high redshift galaxies may have
similar star formation efficiencies and feedback processes as local analogs.
Objects with L(IR) > 6 x 10^12 solar luminosities are quite rare, with a
surface density ~ 30 +/- 10 per sq. deg, corresponding to ~ 2 +/- 1 x 10^-6
Mpc^-3 over 1.5 < z < 2.5.Comment: Accepted for Publication in ApJ. AASTeX format. 34 pages, 12 figures.
Updated references and other small textual revision
The Cosmic Far-Infrared Background Buildup Since Redshift 2 at 70 and 160 microns in the COSMOS and GOODS fields
The Cosmic Far-Infrared Background (CIB) at wavelengths around 160 {\mu}m
corresponds to the peak intensity of the whole Extragalactic Background Light,
which is being measured with increasing accuracy. However, the build up of the
CIB emission as a function of redshift, is still not well known. Our goal is to
measure the CIB history at 70 {\mu}m and 160 {\mu}m at different redshifts, and
provide constraints for infrared galaxy evolution models. We use complete deep
Spitzer 24 {\mu}m catalogs down to about 80 {\mu}Jy, with spectroscopic and
photometric redshifts identifications, from the GOODS and COSMOS deep infrared
surveys covering 2 square degrees total. After cleaning the Spitzer/MIPS 70
{\mu}m and 160 {\mu}m maps from detected sources, we stacked the far-IR images
at the positions of the 24 {\mu}m sources in different redshift bins. We
measured the contribution of each stacked source to the total 70 and 160 {\mu}m
light, and compare with model predictions and recent far-IR measurements made
with Herschel/PACS on smaller fields. We have detected components of the 70 and
160 {\mu}m backgrounds in different redshift bins up to z ~ 2. The contribution
to the CIB is maximum at 0.3 <= z <= 0.9 at 160{\mu}m (and z <= 0.5 at 70
{\mu}m). A total of 81% (74%) of the 70 (160) {\mu}m background was emitted at
z < 1. We estimate that the AGN relative contribution to the far-IR CIB is less
than about 10% at z < 1.5. We provide a comprehensive view of the CIB buildup
at 24, 70, 100, 160 {\mu}m. IR galaxy models predicting a major contribution to
the CIB at z < 1 are in agreement with our measurements, while our results
discard other models that predict a peak of the background at higher redshifts.
Our results are available online http://www.ias.u-psud.fr/irgalaxies/ .Comment: Accepted in Astronomy & Astrophysic
A method for quantifying the gamma-ray burst bias. Application in the redshift range of 0â1.1
International audienceContext. Long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) are related to the final stages of evolution of very massive stars. As such, they should follow the star formation rate (SFR) of galaxies. We can use them to probe for star-forming galaxies in the distant universe following this assumption. The relation between the rate of LGRBs in a given galaxy and its SFR (which we call the LGRB bias) may however be complex, as we have good indications that the LGRB hosts are not perfect analogues to the general population of star-forming galaxies. Aims. In this work, we try to quantify how the LGRB bias depends on physical parameters of their host galaxy, such as SFR or stellar mass. These trends may reveal more fundamental properties such as the role of the metallicity of LGRBs and of their progenitors .Methods. We propose an empirical method based on the comparison of stellar mass functions (and SFR distributions) of LGRB hosts and of star-forming galaxies to find how the bias depends on the stellar mass or the SFR.Results. By applying this method to a sample of LGRB hosts at redshifts lower than 1.1, where the properties of star-forming galaxies are fairly well established and where the properties of LGRB host galaxies can be deduced from observations (limiting ourselves to stellar masses higher than 109.25Mâ and SFR higher than ~1.8 Mââyr-1), we find that the LGRB bias depends on both the stellar mass and SFR. We find that the bias decreases with the SFR; that is, we see no preference for highly star-forming galaxies, once we account for the higher number of massive stars in galaxies with larger SFR. We do not find any trend with the specific star formation rate (SSFR), but the dynamical range in SSFR in our study is narrow. Through an indirect method, we relate these trends to a possible decrease in the LGRBs rate / SFR ratio with the metallicity.Conclusions. The method we propose suggests trends that may be useful to constrain models of LGRB progenitors, showing a clear decrease in the LGRB bias with the metallicity. This is promising for the future as the number of LGRB hosts studied will increase
A Significant Population of Very Luminous Dust-Obscured Galaxies at Redshift z ~ 2
Observations with Spitzer Space Telescope have recently revealed a
significant population of high-redshift z~2 dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) with
large mid-IR to UV luminosity ratios. These galaxies have been missed in
traditional optical studies of the distant universe. We present a simple method
for selecting this high-z population based solely on the ratio of the observed
mid-IR 24um to optical R-band flux density. In the 8.6 sq.deg Bootes NDWFS
Field, we uncover ~2,600 DOG candidates (= 0.089/sq.arcmin) with 24um flux
densities F24>0.3mJy and (R-[24])>14 (i.e., F[24]/F[R] > 1000). These galaxies
have no counterparts in the local universe, and become a larger fraction of the
population at fainter F24, representing 13% of the sources at 0.3~mJy. DOGs
exhibit evidence of both star-formation and AGN activity, with the brighter
24um sources being more AGN- dominated. We have measured spectroscopic
redshifts for 86 DOGs, and find a broad z distribution centered at ~2.0.
Their space density is 2.82E-5 per cubic Mpc, similar to that of bright
sub-mm-selected galaxies at z~2. These redshifts imply very large luminosities
LIR>~1E12-14 Lsun. DOGs contribute ~45-100% of the IR luminosity density
contributed by all z~2 ULIRGs, suggesting that our simple selection criterion
identifies the bulk of z~2 ULIRGs. DOGs may be the progenitors of ~4L*
present-day galaxies seen undergoing a luminous,short- lived phase of bulge and
black hole growth. They may represent a brief evolution phase between SMGs and
less obscured quasars or galaxies. [Abridged]Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa
The AGN Contribution to the Mid-IR Emission of Luminous Infrared Galaxies
We determine the contribution of AGN to the mid-IR emission of luminous
infrared galaxies (LIRGs) at z>0.6 by measuring the mid-IR dust continuum slope
of 20,039 mid-IR sources. The 24 micron sources are selected from a
Spitzer/MIPS survey of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey Bo\"otes field and have
corresponding 8 micron data from the IRAC Shallow Survey. There is a clear
bimodal distribution in the 24 micron to 8 micron flux ratio. The X-ray
detected sources fall within the peak corresponding to a flat spectrum in
nufnu, implying that it is populated by AGN-dominated LIRGs, whereas the peak
corresponding to a higher 24 micron to 8 micron flux ratio is likely due to
LIRGs whose infrared emission is powered by starbursts. The 24 micron emission
is increasingly dominated by AGN at higher 24 micron flux densities (f_24): the
AGN fraction of the z>0.6 sources increases from ~9% at f_24 ~ 0.35 mJy to
74+/-20% at f_24 ~ 3 mJy in good agreement with model predictions. Deep 24
micron, small area surveys, like GOODS, will be strongly dominated by starburst
galaxies. AGN are responsible for ~ 3-7% of the total 24 micron background.Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in Ap
Planck's dusty GEMS. V. Molecular wind and clump stability in a strongly lensed star-forming galaxy at z=2.2
We report the discovery of a molecular wind signature from a massive
intensely star-forming clump of a few Msun, in the strongly
gravitationally lensed submillimeter galaxy "the Emerald" (PLCK_G165.7+49.0) at
z=2.236. The Emerald is amongst the brightest high-redshift galaxies on the
submillimeter sky, and was initially discovered with the Planck satellite. The
system contains two magnificient structures with projected lengths of 28.5" and
21" formed by multiple, near-infrared arcs, falling behind a massive galaxy
cluster at z=0.35, as well as an adjacent filament that has so far escaped
discovery in other wavebands. We used HST/WFC3 and CFHT optical and
near-infrared imaging together with IRAM and SMA interferometry of the CO(4-3)
line and 850 m dust emission to characterize the foreground lensing mass
distribution, construct a lens model with Lenstool, and calculate gravitational
magnification factors between 20 and 50 in most of the source. The majority of
the star formation takes place within two massive star-forming clumps which are
marginally gravitationally bound and embedded in a Msun,
fragmented disk with 20% gas fraction. One of the clumps shows a pronounced
blue wing in the CO(4-3) line profile, which we interpret as a wind signature.
The mass outflow rates are high enough for us to suspect that the clump might
become unbound within a few tens of Myr, unless the outflowing gas can be
replenished by gas accretion from the surrounding disk. The velocity offset of
-200 km s is above the escape velocity of the clump, but not that of the
galaxy overall, suggesting that much of this material might ultimately rain
back onto the galaxy and contribute to fueling subsequent star formation.Comment: 24 pages, 13 Figures, accepted for publication in A&
Infrared Luminosities and Dust Properties of z ~ 2 Dust-Obscured Galaxies
We present SHARC-II 350um imaging of twelve 24um-bright (F_24um > 0.8 mJy)
Dust-Obscured Galaxies (DOGs) and CARMA 1mm imaging of a subset of 2 DOGs, all
selected from the Bootes field of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey. Detections
of 4 DOGs at 350um imply IR luminosities which are consistent within a factor
of 2 of expectations based on a warm dust spectral energy distribution (SED)
scaled to the observed 24um flux density. The 350um upper limits for the 8
non-detected DOGs are consistent with both Mrk231 and M82 (warm dust SEDs), but
exclude cold dust (Arp220) SEDs. The two DOGs targeted at 1mm were not detected
in our CARMA observations, placing strong constraints on the dust temperature:
T_dust > 35-60 K. Assuming these dust properties apply to the entire sample, we
find dust masses of ~3x10^8 M_sun. In comparison to other dusty z ~ 2 galaxy
populations such as sub-millimeter galaxies (SMGs) and other Spitzer-selected
high-redshift sources, this sample of DOGs has higher IR luminosities (2x10^13
L_sun vs. 6x10^12 L_sun for the other galaxy populations), warmer dust
temperatures (>35-60 K vs. ~30 K), and lower inferred dust masses (3x10^8 M_sun
vs. 3x10^9 M_sun). Herschel and SCUBA-2 surveys should be able to detect
hundreds of these power-law dominated DOGs. We use HST and Spitzer/IRAC data to
estimate stellar masses of these sources and find that the stellar to gas mass
ratio may be higher in our 24um-bright sample of DOGs than in SMGs and other
Spitzer-selected sources. Although larger sample sizes are needed to provide a
definitive conclusion, the data are consistent with an evolutionary trend in
which the formation of massive galaxies at z~2 involves a sub-millimeter
bright, cold-dust and star-formation dominated phase followed by a 24um-bright,
warm-dust and AGN-dominated phase.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables; accepted to the Ap
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