694 research outputs found
The UV Continuum of Quasars: Models and SDSS Spectral Slopes
We measure long (2200-4000 ang) and short (1450-2200 ang) wavelength spectral
slopes \alpha (F_\nu proportional to \nu^\alpha) for quasar spectra from the
Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The long and short wavelength slopes are computed
from 3646 and 2706 quasars with redshifts in the z=0.76-1.26 and z=1.67-2.07
ranges, respectively. We calculate mean slopes after binning the data by
monochromatic luminosity at 2200 ang and virial mass estimates based on
measurements of the MgII line width and 3000 ang continuum luminosity. We find
little evidence for mass dependent variations in the mean slopes, but a
significant luminosity dependent trend in the near UV spectral slopes is
observed with larger (bluer) slopes at higher luminosities. The far UV slopes
show no clear variation with luminosity and are generally lower (redder) than
the near UV slopes at comparable luminosities, suggesting a slightly concave
quasar continuum shape. We compare these results with Monte Carlo distributions
of slopes computed from models of thin accretion disks, accounting for
uncertainties in the mass estimates. The model slopes produce mass dependent
trends which are larger than observed, though this conclusion is sensitive to
the assumed uncertainties in the mass estimates. The model slopes are also
generally bluer than observed, and we argue that reddening by dust intrinsic to
the source or host galaxy may account for much of the discrepancy.Comment: To be published in ApJ, 18 pages, 10 figure
A Quantitative Comparison of SMC, LMC, and Milky Way UV to NIR Extinction Curves
We present an exhaustive, quantitative comparison of all of the known
extinction curves in the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds (SMC and LMC) with
our understanding of the general behavior of Milky Way extinction curves. The
R_V dependent CCM relationship and the sample of extinction curves used to
derive this relationship is used to describe the general behavior of Milky Way
extinction curves. The ultraviolet portion of the SMC and LMC extinction curves
are derived from archival IUE data, except for one new SMC extinction curve
which was measured using HST/STIS observations. The optical extinction curves
are derived from new (for the SMC) and literature UBVRI photometry (for the
LMC). The near-infrared extinction curves are calculated mainly from 2MASS
photometry supplemented with DENIS and new JHK photometry. For each extinction
curve, we give R_V = A(V)/E(B-V) and N(HI) values which probe the same dust
column as the extinction curve. We compare the properties of the SMC and LMC
extinction curves with the CCM relationship three different ways: each curve by
itself, the behavior of extinction at different wavelengths with R_V, and
behavior of the extinction curve FM fit parameters with R_V. As has been found
previously, we find that a small number of LMC extinction curves are consistent
with the CCM relationship, but majority of the LMC and all of the SMC curves do
not follow the CCM relationship. For the first time, we find that the CCM
relationship seems to form a bound on the properties of all of the LMC and SMC
extinction curves. This result strengthens the picture of dust extinction
curves exhibit a continuum of properties between those found in the Milky Way
and the SMC Bar. (abridged)Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures, ApJ in pres
A Substantial Population of Red Galaxies at z > 2: Modeling of the Spectral Energy Distributions of an Extended Sample
We investigate the nature of the substantial population of high-z galaxies
with Js-Ks>2.3 discovered as part of our FIRES survey. This colour cut
efficiently isolates z>2 galaxies with red rest-frame optical colors ("Distant
Red Galaxies" or DRGs). We select objects in the 2.5'x2.5' HDF-South (HDF-S)
and 5'x5' field around the MS1054-03 cluster; the surface densities at Ks<21
are 1.6+-0.6 and 1.0+-0.2 arcmin^-2. We discuss the 34 DRGs at 2<z<3.5: 11 at
Ks<22.5 in HDF-S and 23 at Ks<21.7 in the MS1054-03 field. We analyze the SEDs
constructed from our deep near-infrared (NIR) and optical imaging from the ESO
VLT and HST. We develop diagnostics involving I-Js, Js-H, and H-Ks to argue
that the red NIR colors of DRGs cannot be attributed solely to extinction and
require for many an evolved stellar population with prominent Balmer/4000A
break. In the rest-frame, the optical colours of DRGs fall within the envelope
of normal nearby galaxies and the UV colours suggest a wide range in star
formation activity and/or extinction. This contrasts with the much bluer and
more uniform SEDs of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). From evolutionary synthesis
models with constant star formation, solar metallicity, Salpeter IMF, and
Calzetti et al. extinction law, we derive for the HDF-S (MS1054-03 field) DRGs
median ages of 1.7(2.0) Gyr, A_V = 2.7(2.4) mag, stellar masses 0.8(1.6)x10^11
Msun, M/L_V = 1.2(2.3) Msun/LVsun, and SFR = 120(170) Msun/yr. Models assuming
declining SFRs with e-folding timescales of 10Myr-1Gyr generally imply younger
ages, lower A_V's and SFRs, but similar stellar masses within a factor of two.
Compared to LBGs at similar redshifts and rest-frame L_V's, DRGs are older,
more massive, and more obscured for any given star formation history.
[ABRIDGED]Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. 27 pages, 14
b/w figure
Self-Lensing Models of the LMC
All of the proposed explanations for the microlensing events observed towards
the LMC have difficulties. One of these proposed explanations, LMC
self-lensing, which invokes ordinary LMC stars as the long sought-after lenses,
has recently gained considerable popularity as a possible solution to the
microlensing conundrum. In this paper, we carefully examine the set of LMC
self-lensing models. In particular, we review the pertinent observations made
of the LMC, and show how these observations place limits on such self-lensing
models. We find that, given current observational constraints, no purely LMC
disk models are capable of producing optical depths as large as that reported
in the MACHO collaboration 2-year analysis. Besides pure disk, we also consider
alternate geometries, and present a framework which encompasses the previous
studies of LMC self-lensing. We discuss which model parameters need to be
pushed in order for such models to succeed. For example, like previous workers,
we find that an LMC halo geometry may be able to explain the observed events.
However, since all known LMC tracer stellar populations exhibit disk-like
kinematics, such models will have difficulty being reconciled with
observations. For SMC self-lensing, we find predicted optical depths differing
from previous results, but more than sufficient to explain all observed SMC
microlensing. In contrast, for the LMC we find a self-lensing optical depth
contribution between 0.47e-8 and 7.84e-8, with 2.44e-8 being the value for the
set of LMC parameters most consistent with current observations.Comment: 20 pages, Latex, 14 figures, submitted to Ap
The formation, properties and impact of secondary organic aerosol: current and emerging issues
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) accounts for a significant fraction of ambient tropospheric aerosol and a detailed knowledge of the formation, properties and transformation of SOA is therefore required to evaluate its impact on atmospheric processes, climate and human health. The chemical and physical processes associated with SOA formation are complex and varied, and, despite considerable progress in recent years, a quantitative and predictive understanding of SOA formation does not exist and therefore represents a major research challenge in atmospheric science. This review begins with an update on the current state of knowledge on the global SOA budget and is followed by an overview of the atmospheric degradation mechanisms for SOA precursors, gas-particle partitioning theory and the analytical techniques used to determine the chemical composition of SOA. A survey of recent laboratory, field and modeling studies is also presented. The following topical and emerging issues are highlighted and discussed in detail: molecular characterization of biogenic SOA constituents, condensed phase reactions and oligomerization, the interaction of atmospheric organic components with sulfuric acid, the chemical and photochemical processing of organics in the atmospheric aqueous phase, aerosol formation from real plant emissions, interaction of atmospheric organic components with water, thermodynamics and mixtures in atmospheric models. Finally, the major challenges ahead in laboratory, field and modeling studies of SOA are discussed and recommendations for future research directions are proposed
Spectropolarimetry of 3CR 68.1: A Highly Inclined Quasar
We present Keck spectropolarimetry of the highly polarized radio-loud quasar
3CR 68.1 (z=1.228, V=19). The polarization increases from 5 in the red (4000 A
rest-frame) to >10% in the blue (1900 A rest-frame). The broad emission lines
are polarized the same as the continuum, which shows that 3CR 68.1 is not a
blazar as it has sometimes been regarded in the past. We also present
measurements of the emission lines and a strong, blueshifted, associated
absorption line system, as well as a detection at the emission-line redshift of
Ca II K absorption, presumably from stars in the host galaxy. 3CR 68.1 belongs
to an observationally rare class of highly polarized quasars that are neither
blazars nor partially obscured radio-quiet QSOs. Taking into account 3CR 68.1's
other unusual properties, such as its extremely red spectral energy
distribution and its extreme lobe dominance, we explain our spectropolarimetric
results in terms of unified models. We argue that we have a dusty, highly
inclined view of 3CR 68.1, with reddened scattered (polarized) quasar light
diluted by even more dust-reddened quasar light reaching us directly from the
nucleus.Comment: 20 pages, includes 3 tables, 6 figures. Accepted by Ap
The Twice-Overlooked, Second FR II Broad Absorption Line Quasar LBQS 1138-0126
We report the correct classification of an overlooked Fanaroff-Riley class II
radio-loud quasar with broad absorption lines, only the second such object so
identified. The rare properties of this quasar, LBQS 1138-0126, are twice
overlooked. First LBQS 1138-0126 was found in the Large Bright Quasar Survey
but only noted as a possible broad absorption line quasar without additional
follow-up. Later LBQS 1138-0126 was rediscovered and classified as a radio-loud
broad absorption line quasar but not recognized as an FR II radio source. We
describe the radio, absorption line, and optical polarization properties of
LBQS 1138-0126 and place it in context with respect to related quasars. In
particular, spectropolarimetry shows that LBQS 1138-0126 has high continuum
polarization increasing from 3% in the red (rest-frame 2400 Angstroms) to over
4% in the blue (rest-frame 1650 Ansgtroms), essentially confirming the
intrinsic nature of the absorption. The polarization position angle rotates
from about -30 degrees in the red to about 0 degrees in the blue; the radio
lobe position angle is 52 degrees for comparison. LBQS 1138-0126 is
additionally notable for being one of the most radio-loud broad absorption line
quasars, and for having low-ionization broad absorption lines as well.Comment: Figure 3 has color. To appear in the Astronomical Journa
A multiwavelength approach to the SFR estimation in galaxies at intermediate redshifts
We use a sample of 7 starburst galaxies at intermediate redshifts (z ~ 0.4
and z ~ 0.8) with observations ranging from the observed ultraviolet to 1.4
GHz, to compare the star formation rate (SFR) estimators which are used in the
different wavelength regimes. We find that extinction corrected Halpha
underestimates the SFR, and the degree of this underestimation increases with
the infrared luminosity of the galaxies. Galaxies with very different levels of
dust extinction as measured with SFR(IR)/SFR(Halpha, uncorrected for
extinction) present a similar attenuation A[Halpha], as if the Balmer lines
probed a different region of the galaxy than the one responsible for the bulk
of the IR luminosity for large SFRs. In addition, SFR estimates derived from
[OII]3727 match very well those inferred from Halpha after applying the
metallicity correction derived from local galaxies. SFRs estimated from the UV
luminosities show a dichotomic behavior, similar to that previously reported by
other authors in galaxies at z <~ 0.4. Here we extend this result up to z ~
0.8. Finally, one of the studied objects is a luminous compact galaxy (LCG)
that may be suffering similar dust-enshrouded star formation episodes. These
results highlight the relevance of quantifying the actual L(IR) of LCGs, as
well as that of a much larger and generic sample of luminous infrared galaxies,
which will be possible after the launch of SIRTF.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
POEMMA: Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics
The Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) mission is being
designed to establish charged-particle astronomy with ultra-high energy cosmic
rays (UHECRs) and to observe cosmogenic tau neutrinos (CTNs). The study of
UHECRs and CTNs from space will yield orders-of-magnitude increase in
statistics of observed UHECRs at the highest energies, and the observation of
the cosmogenic flux of neutrinos for a range of UHECR models. These
observations should solve the long-standing puzzle of the origin of the highest
energy particles ever observed, providing a new window onto the most energetic
environments and events in the Universe, while studying particle interactions
well beyond accelerator energies. The discovery of CTNs will help solve the
puzzle of the origin of UHECRs and begin a new field of Astroparticle Physics
with the study of neutrino properties at ultra-high energies.Comment: 8 pages, in the Proceedings of the 35th International Cosmic Ray
Conference, ICRC217, Busan, Kore
The Dust in Lyman Break Galaxies
We present our analysis of UV attenuation by internal dust of a large sample
(N=906 galaxies) of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs). Using spectral energy
distributions (SEDs) from the P\'EGASE galaxy spectral evolution model we apply
dust attenuation corrections to the G-R colors using the Witt & Gordon (2000)
models for radiative transfer in dusty galactic environments to arrive at the
UV attenuation factors. We show that the dust in the LBGs exhibit SMC-like
characteristics rather than MW-like, and that the dust geometry in these
systems is most likely to be represented by a clumpy shell configuration. We
show that the attenuation factor exhibits a pronounced dependence on the
luminosity of the LBG, a_{1600}\propto (L/L_\sun)^\alpha, where
. The exponent depends on the initial parameters
of the stellar population chosen to model the galaxies and the dust properties.
We find that the luminosity weighted average attenuation factor is likely to be
in the range from , which is consistent with the upper limits to the
star formation rate at set by the FIR background. This implies that the
current UV/optical surveys do detect the bulk of the star formation during the
epoch , but require substantial correction for internal dust
attenuation.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, uses AASTEX, accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journa
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