Nearby early-type galaxies with ionized gas. The UV emission from GALEX observations

We present GALEX far-ultraviolet (FUV, $\lambda_{eff}$=1538 \AA) and near-ultraviolet (NUV, $\lambda_{eff}$=2316 \AA) surface photometry of 40 early-type galaxies (ETGs) selected from a wider sample of 65 nearby ETGs showing emission lines in their optical spectra. We derive FUV and NUV surface brightness profiles, (FUV-NUV) colour profiles and D$_{25}$ integrated magnitudes. We extend the photometric study to the optical {\it r} band from SDSS imaging for 14 of these ETGs. In general, the (FUV-NUV) radial colour profiles become redder with galactocentric distance in both rejuvenated ($\leq 4$ Gyr) and old ETGs. Colour profiles of NGC 1533, NGC 2962, NGC 2974, NGC 3489, and IC 5063 show rings and/or arm-like structures, bluer than the body of the galaxy, suggesting the presence of recent star formation. Although seven of our ETGs show shell systems in their optical image, only NGC 7135 displays shells in the UV bands. We characterize the UV and optical surface brightness profiles, along the major axis, using a Sersic law. The Sersic law exponent, $n$, varies from 1 to 16 in the UV bands. S0 galaxies tend to have lower values of $n$ ($\leq5$). The Sersic law exponent $n=4$ seems to be a watershed: ETGs with $n>4$ tend to have [$\alpha$/Fe] greater than 0.15, implying a short star-formation time scale. We find a significant correlation between the FUV$-$NUV colour and central velocity dispersions $\sigma$, with the UV colours getting bluer at larger $\sigma$. This trend is likely driven by a combined effect of `downsizing' and of the mass-metallicity relation.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 33 pages, 7 figure

Ultraviolet Energy Distributions of (32) Early–Type Galaxies

New, self–consistent energy distribution have been generated from 52 short – wavelength and 40 long–wavelength IUE spectra of 31 early–type galaxies, plus the bulge of M31. All galaxies in this sample have measurements of the absorption–line index Mg2 and central velocity dispersion, and a (1550–V) color is determined by combing the IUE data with photoelectrically–measured V magnitudes.</jats:p

HST Far–UV Imaging of M 31, M 32 and NGC 205

Direct measures of luminosity functions, UV fluxes and colors of the hot stars that produce the UV turn–up in the SED of ellipticals and spiral bulges is the scientific goal of the HST observations presented here (see Bertola et al. 1995 for details). We concentrated our analysis on the hot stellar content of the M31 bulge. HST/FOC f/48 images were analyzed as observed (before the repair mission) through the F150W broad-band UV filter. We find that both individual stars and unresolved objects contribute to about 50% of the UV (1200-2450 Å) flux. Making use of the isochrones calculated by Bertelli et al. (1994) and Chiosi et al. (1994) together with the models of population synthesis presented by Bressan et al. (1994), we constructed theoretical CMDs to be compared with the CMD obtained by combining our F150W observations with the F175W observations of King et al. (1992). We conclude that the stars we resolved in M31 are classical P-AGB stars belonging to an old standard metallicity population. However, the P-EAGB and AGB-manqué stages as well as H-HB stars could be the source of the diffuse UV emission.</jats:p

Ultraviolet astronomy from the space station: A case study

Recent Research Developments in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Multi-messenger Observations of a Binary Neutron Star Merger

International audienceOn 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of $\sim 1.7\,{\rm{s}}$ with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg(2) at a luminosity distance of ${40}_{-8}^{+8}$ Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 $\,{M}_{\odot }$. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at $\sim 40\,{\rm{Mpc}}$) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One-Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ∼10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position $\sim 9$ and $\sim 16$ days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC 4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta