429 research outputs found
HST Morphologies of z~2 Dust Obscured Galaxies I: Power-law Sources
We present high spatial resolution optical and near-infrared imaging obtained
using the ACS, WFPC2 and NICMOS cameras aboard the Hubble Space Telescope of 31
24um--bright z~2 Dust Obscured Galaxies (DOGs) identified in the Bootes Field
of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey. Although this subset of DOGs have mid-IR
spectral energy distributions dominated by a power-law component suggestive of
an AGN, all but one of the galaxies are spatially extended and not dominated by
an unresolved component at rest-frame UV or optical wavelengths. The observed
V-H and I-H colors of the extended components are 0.2-3 magnitudes redder than
normal star-forming galaxies. All but 1 have axial ratios >0.3, making it
unlikely that DOGs are composed of an edge-on star-forming disk. We model the
spatially extended component of the surface brightness distributions of the
DOGs with a Sersic profile and find effective radii of 1-6 kpc. This sample of
DOGs is smaller than most sub-millimeter galaxies (SMGs), but larger than
quiescent high-redshift galaxies. Non-parametric measures (Gini and M20) of DOG
morphologies suggest that these galaxies are more dynamically relaxed than
local ULIRGs. We estimate lower limits to the stellar masses of DOGs based on
the rest-frame optical photometry and find that these range from ~10^(9-11)
M_sun. If major mergers are the progenitors of DOGs, then these observations
suggest that DOGs may represent a post-merger evolutionary stage.Comment: 23 pages, 9 figures, 6 tables, accepted to ApJ; lower limits on
stellar mass revised upwards by factor of (1+z
First mid-infrared spectrum of a faint high-z galaxy: Observations of CFRS 14.1157 with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope
The unprecedented sensitivity of the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer
Space Telescope allows for the first time the measurement of mid-infrared
spectra from 14 to 38 microns of faint high-z galaxies. This unique capability
is demonstrated with observations of sources having 16 micron fluxes of 3.6 mJy
(CFRS 14.1157) and 0.35 mJy (CFRS 14.9025). A spectral-fitting technique is
illustrated which determines the redshift by fitting emission and absorption
features characteristic of nearby galaxies to the spectrum of an unknown
source. For CFRS 14.1157, the measured redshift is z = 1.00+/-0.20 in agreement
with the published result of z = 1.15. The spectrum is dominated by emission
from an AGN, similar to the nucleus of NGC 1068, rather than a typical
starburst with strong PAH emission like M82. Such spectra will be crucial in
characterizing the nature of newly discovered distant galaxies, which are too
faint for optical follow-up.Comment: Accepted in ApJ Sup. Spitzer Special Issue, 4 pages, 5 figure
The Energetics of Molecular Gas in NGC 891 from H_2 and Far-infrared Spectroscopy
We have studied the molecular hydrogen energetics of the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 891, using a 34 position map in the lowest three pure rotational H_2 lines observed with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph. The S(0), S(1), and S(2) lines are bright with an extinction-corrected total luminosity of ~2.8 × 10^7 L_☉, or 0.09% of the total-infrared luminosity of NGC 891. The H_2 line ratios are nearly constant along the plane of the galaxy—we do not observe the previously reported strong drop-off in the S(1)/S(0) line intensity ratio in the outer regions of the galaxy, so we find no evidence for the very massive cold CO-free molecular clouds invoked to explain the past observations. The H_2 level excitation temperatures increase monotonically indicating that there is more than one component to the emitting gas. More than 99% of the mass is in the lowest excitation (T_(ex) ~ 125 K) "warm" component. In the inner galaxy, the warm H_2 emitting gas is ~16% of the CO(1-0)-traced cool molecular gas, while in the outer regions the fraction is twice as high. This large mass of warm gas is heated by a combination of the far-UV photons from stars in photodissociation regions (PDRs) and the dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy. Including the observed far-infrared [O I] and [C II] fine-structure line emission and far-infrared continuum emission in a self-consistent manner to constrain the PDR models, we find essentially all of the S(0) and most (70%) of the S(1) line arise from low excitation PDRs, while most (80%) of the S(2) and the remainder of the S(1) line emission arise from low-velocity microturbulent dissipation
Spectroscopic Redshifts to z > 2 for Optically Obscured Sources Discovered with the Spitzer Space Telescope
We have surveyed a field covering 9.0 degrees^2 within the NOAO Deep
Wide-Field Survey region in Bootes with the Multiband Imaging Photometer on the
Spitzer Space Telescope (SST) to a limiting 24 um flux density of 0.3 mJy.
Thirty one sources from this survey with F(24um) > 0.75 mJy which are optically
very faint (R > 24.5 mag) have been observed with the low-resolution modules of
the Infrared Spectrograph on SST. Redshifts derived primarily from strong
silicate absorption features are reported here for 17 of these sources; 10 of
these are optically invisible (R > 26 mag), with no counterpart in B_W, R, or
I. The observed redshifts for 16 sources are 1.7 < z < 2.8. These represent a
newly discovered population of highly obscured sources at high redshift with
extreme infrared to optical ratios. Using IRS spectra of local galaxies as
templates, we find that a majority of the sources have mid-infrared spectral
shapes most similar to ultraluminous infrared galaxies powered primarily by
AGN. Assuming the same templates also apply at longer wavelengths, bolometric
luminosities exceed 10^13 L(solar).Comment: Accepted for publication on 7 Feb 2005 in ApJL. 7 pages 2 figure
Plasma and Warm Dust in the Collisional Ring Galaxy VIIZw466 from VLA and ISO Observations
We present the first mid-infrared (Mid-IR) (m) and radio
continuum (20,~6 and 3.6 cm) observations of the star-forming
collisional ring galaxy VII Zw 466 and its host group made with the Infrared
Space Observatory and the NRAO Very Large Array. A search was also made for CO
line emission in two of the galaxies with the Onsala 20m radio telescope and
upper limits were placed on the mass of molecular gas in those galaxies. The
ring galaxy is believed to owe its morphology to a slightly off-center
collision between an `intruder' galaxy and a disk. An off-center collision is
predicted to generate a radially expanding density wave in the disk which
should show large azimuthal variations in overdensity, and have observational
consequences. The radio continuum emission shows the largest asymmetry,
exhibiting a crescent-shaped distribution consistent with either the trapping
of cosmic-ray particles in the target disk, or an enhanced supernova rate in
the compressed region. On the other hand, the ISO observations (especially
those made at m) show a more scattered distribution, with
emission centers associated with powerful star formation sites distributed more
uniformly around the ring. Low-signal to noise observations at
m show possible emission inside the ring, with little emission
directly associated with the \ion{H}{2} regions. The observations emphasize the
complex relationship between the generation of radio emission and the
development of star formation even in relatively simple and well understood
collisional scenarios.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, 23 pages + 6
PS figure
Spitzer IRS Spectra of Optically Faint Infrared Sources with Weak Spectral Features
Spectra have been obtained with the low-resolution modules of the Infrared
Spectrograph (IRS) on the Spitzer Space Telescope (Spitzer) for 58 sources
having f(24 micron) > 0.75 mJy. Sources were chosen from a survey of
8.2 deg within the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey region in Bootes (NDWFS)
using the Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS) on the Spitzer Space Telescope.
Most sources are optically very faint (I > 24mag). Redshifts have previously
been determined for 34 sources, based primarily on the presence of a deep 9.7
micron silicate absorption feature, with a median z of 2.2. Spectra are
presented for the remaining 24 sources for which we were previously unable to
determine a confident redshift because the IRS spectra show no strong features.
Optical photometry from the NDWFS and infrared photometry with MIPS and the
Infrared Array Camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope (IRAC) are given, with K
photometry from the Keck I telescope for some objects. The sources without
strong spectral features have overall spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and
distributions among optical and infrared fluxes which are similar to those for
the sources with strong absorption features. Nine of the 24 sources are found
to have feasible redshift determinations based on fits of a weak silicate
absorption feature. Results confirm that the "1 mJy" population of 24 micron
Spitzer sources which are optically faint is dominated by dusty sources with
spectroscopic indicators of an obscured AGN rather than a starburst. There
remain 14 of the 58 sources observed in Bootes for which no redshift could be
estimated, and 5 of these sources are invisible at all optical wavelengths.Comment: Accepted by Ap
Cosmic Calibration: Constraints from the Matter Power Spectrum and the Cosmic Microwave Background
Several cosmological measurements have attained significant levels of
maturity and accuracy over the last decade. Continuing this trend, future
observations promise measurements of the statistics of the cosmic mass
distribution at an accuracy level of one percent out to spatial scales with
k~10 h/Mpc and even smaller, entering highly nonlinear regimes of gravitational
instability. In order to interpret these observations and extract useful
cosmological information from them, such as the equation of state of dark
energy, very costly high precision, multi-physics simulations must be
performed. We have recently implemented a new statistical framework with the
aim of obtaining accurate parameter constraints from combining observations
with a limited number of simulations. The key idea is the replacement of the
full simulator by a fast emulator with controlled error bounds. In this paper,
we provide a detailed description of the methodology and extend the framework
to include joint analysis of cosmic microwave background and large scale
structure measurements. Our framework is especially well-suited for upcoming
large scale structure probes of dark energy such as baryon acoustic
oscillations and, especially, weak lensing, where percent level accuracy on
nonlinear scales is needed.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figure
The Energetics of Molecular Gas in NGC 891 from H2 and FIR Spectroscopy
We have studied the molecular hydrogen energetics of the edge-on spiral
galaxy NGC\,891, using a 34-position map in the lowest three pure rotational
H lines observed with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph. The S(0), S(1),
and S(2) lines are bright with an extinction corrected total luminosity of
L, or 0.09\% of the total-infrared luminosity
of NGC\,891. The H line ratios are nearly constant along the plane of the
galaxy -- we do not observe the previously reported strong drop-off in the
S(1)/S(0) line intensity ratio in the outer regions of the galaxy, so we find
no evidence for the very massive cold CO-free molecular clouds invoked to
explain the past observations. The H level excitation temperatures increase
monotonically indicating more than one component to the emitting gas. More than
99\% of the mass is in the lowest excitation (T 125 K) ``warm''
component. In the inner galaxy, the warm H emitting gas is 15\% of
the CO(1-0)-traced cool molecular gas, while in the outer regions the fraction
is twice as high. This large mass of warm gas is heated by a combination of the
far-UV photons from stars in photo-dissociation regions (PDRs) and the
dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy. Including the observed far-infrared
[OI] and [CII] fine-structure line emission and far-infrared continuum emission
in a self-consistent manner to constrain the PDR models, we find essentially
all of the S(0) and most (70\%) of the S(1) line arises from low excitation
PDRs, while most (80\%) of the S(2) and the remainder of the S(1) line emission
arises from low velocity microturbulent dissipation.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Figure 10
available at http://www.physics.uoc.gr/~vassilis/papers/ngc891.pd
Mid-Infrared Spectra of Classical AGN Observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope
Full low resolution (65<R<130) and high resolution (R~600) spectra between 5
microns and 37 microns obtained with the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on the
Spitzer Space Telescope are presented for eight classical active galactic
nuclei (AGN) which have been extensively studied previously. Spectra of these
AGN are presented as comparison standards for the many objects, including
sources at high redshift, which are being observed spectroscopically in the
mid-infrared for the first time using the IRS. The AGN are NGC4151, Markarian
3, I Zwicky 1, NGC 1275, Centaurus A, NGC 7469, Markarian 231, and NGC 3079.
These sources are used to demonstrate the range of infrared spectra encountered
in objects which have widely different classification criteria at other
wavelengths but which unquestionably contain AGN. Overall spectral
characteristics - including continuum shape, nebular emission lines, silicate
absorption and emission features, and PAH emission features - are considered to
understand how spectral classifications based on mid-infrared spectra relate to
those previously derived from optical spectra. The AGN are also compared to the
same parameters for starburst galaxies such as NGC 7714 and the compact, low
metallicity starburst SBS 0335-052 previously observed with the IRS. Results
confirm the much lower strengths of PAH emission features in AGN, but there are
no spectral parameters in this sample which unambiguously distinguish AGN and
starbursts based only on the slopes of the continuous spectra.Comment: Accepted by Ap
Compressible Sub-Alfvenic MHD turbulence in Low-beta Plasmas
We present a model for compressible sub-Alfvenic isothermal
magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in low-beta plasmas and numerically test
it. We separate MHD fluctuations into 3 distinct families - Alfven, slow, and
fast modes. We find that, production of slow and fast modes by Alfvenic
turbulence is suppressed. As a result, Alfven modes in compressible regime
exhibit scalings and anisotropy similar to those in incompressible regime. Slow
modes passively mimic Alfven modes. However, fast modes show isotropy and a
scaling similar to acoustic turbulence.Comment: 4 pages, 8 figures, Phys. Rev. Lett., in pres
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